An Australian Victory: High Court Judgment on Palace Letters
The Australian Republic Movement welcomed the High Court decision today, which favours releasing 211 ‘Palace Letters’ - correspondence between the Governor-General and Buckingham Palace during the controversial dismissal of the Whitlam Government.
Buckingham Palace had previously vetoed the release of the correspondence until 2027 and fought to keep the letters secret, citing the potential for damage to the UK-Australian relationship and the relationship of the Queen with her representatives in Australia if they were released.
ARM National Committee Member Professor Jenny Hocking spent more than four years in a sustained legal battle all the way to the High Court, attempting to secure the release of the letters.
Australians may finally know what role, if any, the Queen and Palace had in the dismissal of a democratically elected Australian Government. The High Court’s decision brings much needed transparency and democratic accountability.
“This is a significant victory for Australian sovereignty and democracy” said Peter FitzSimons, Chair of the Australian Republic Movement.
“These letters provide a crucial historical context around one of the most destabilising and controversial chapters in Australian political history.
“Australians deserve to know what was done, and by whom. The idea, put forward by Buckingham Palace, that such important correspondence on behalf of the Australian people was the private property of Her Majesty alone was patently absurd.
“The Palace has claimed it had no involvement in the decision. This will put that to the test.
“We await with interest to see what the letters will reveal and what precise involvement both Her Majesty, and the heir to her throne, Prince Charles, had in The Dismissal.
“This case highlights the ridiculousness of having an unelected British monarch involved in Australia’s affairs” said Mr FitzSimons.
Media Contacts