The Dismissal deniers | The Spectator Australia

The Dismissal Deniers

Next Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the day Governor-General Sir John Kerr lawfully exercised a constitutional power to end a severe political deadlock and secure funds necessary for government operations. Despite his legitimate use of this authority, Sir John has faced relentless criticism, even posthumously.

Clarifying Sir John Kerr’s Role

It is important to note that Sir John Kerr did not remove a grossly incompetent government; the Australian people did. Kerr’s action merely created the opportunity for that outcome. This was a consequence rather than the primary reason behind his decision.

Anticipated Renewed Criticism

The anniversary has sparked a multi-faceted campaign against Sir John Kerr, including:

The event, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, features several outspoken critics of Kerr, such as journalists Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston, along with academic Professor Jenny Hocking. Most participants have strong Labor Party affiliations, contributing to the charged atmosphere surrounding the commemoration.

"Sir John Kerr simply gave them the opportunity to do so. And more importantly, that was a by-product of – not the motivation for – his decision."
"The latter, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, will include such partisan players as journalists Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston and academic Professor Jenny Hocking, all fierce Kerr antagonists."

The anniversary highlights contrasting views on Kerr's role, with significant debate fueled by partisan perspectives.

Author’s summary: The 50th anniversary of Kerr’s dismissal reignites partisan debate, underscoring criticisms rooted in political loyalties rather than constitutional facts.

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

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