The Dismissal deniers | The Spectator Australia

The 50th Anniversary of Sir John Kerr's Dismissal

Next Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of when governor-general Sir John Kerr lawfully exercised a constitutional power to resolve a severe political deadlock. This action secured funding for the Crown to continue government operations. Despite this, Sir John has faced relentless criticism both during his life and posthumously.

Clarifying Sir John Kerr's Role

It is important to understand that Sir John Kerr did not remove a grossly incompetent government; the people of Australia did. Kerr's action simply provided the opportunity for this outcome. Notably, this was a consequence of his decision, not its reason.

Anniversary Events and Reactions

The anniversary has triggered a significant backlash. This includes:

The event will be chaired by Barrie Cassidy and feature journalists Paul Kelly, Troy Bramston, and academic Jenny Hocking, all known critics of Kerr and largely aligned with the Labor Party.

Sir John Kerr did not deliver us from a grossly incompetent government. The people of Australia did that. Sir John Kerr simply gave them the opportunity to do so.

This combination of media and public commentary is expected to ignite fierce debate around the parliamentary triangle on what many consider a solemn day.

Author’s summary: The anniversary of Kerr’s dismissal sees renewed partisan attacks despite his constitutional duty to resolve a political crisis, highlighting ongoing division in Australian politics.

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The Spectator Australia The Spectator Australia — 2025-11-06

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