We Stand By The Facts, Not Royal Spin (Letter to the Editor)

The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) stands by its assertion that Buckingham Palace was “consulted and forewarned about Governor-General John Kerr’s likely decision to dismiss the Whitlam Government, provided advice on how the Governor-General's reserve powers might be exercised, and that Sir John Kerr even war-gamed possible scenarios with the Palace and Prince Charles in which he himself might be dismissed as Governor-General” and that “without the explicit assurances of the Palace Sir John Kerr may not have acted.” 

This is evidenced by the letter to Buckingham Palace on 17 October 1975, in which Kerr states “My own role continues to be debated and I attach some clippings which indicate the way in which attention is being directed to the duties, powers and responsibilities of the Governor-General.” That same letter refers to conversations in Port Moresby (with Prince Charles) about his own possible removal as Governor-General, and a joke made by Whitlam at the time about the ‘race to the palace’ to see who could dismiss the other first. Two of the newspaper clippings (Sydney Morning Herald, 16/10/75 and The Australian 16/10/75) Kerr sent to the Palace prophetically canvassed the potential dismissal situation that essentially came to pass. The SMH boldly speculated “So what might Sir John Kerr do if an impasse arose? He would simply dismiss the Whitlam Ministry, call in the Leader of the Opposition and ask him to form a Government. The Fraser Government would be defeated on the floor of the House and would ask the Governor-General for a double dissolution.”

On 20/10/75 Kerr writes again to Buckingham Palace, noting the Opposition was “openly asserting” that “it is open to me to dismiss the Prime Minister and call upon someone else (Fraser of course) willing to advise a dissolution of the House of Representatives.” He goes on to say while he is not yet decided on that course of action, he is providing this information “for Her Majesty’s benefit… to put you and, to the extent The Queen wishes it, Her Majesty in the position of being able to get the real feelings of things here.” In a letter of 27/10/75, the Queen’s Private Secretary tells Kerr “you question whether the material you are sending on the crisis is too detailed. I can assure you that it is not. The Queen is absorbing it with interest and is very grateful to you for taking so much trouble to keep her informed.”

On 27/10/75 Kerr informs the Palace that by the end of November Parliament is likely to have “unequivocally denied supply and the Government will be attempting to govern without it”, and that “this will be so if one of the quite likely courses of events takes place, that is to say, if deadlock persists.” Kerr then says “in such a situation it will become necessary to consider whether the Prime Minister and his government should resign or recommend a dissolution. I should have to consider whether I ask for this.” In that same letter Kerr requests personal advice from the Palace, noting “anything I may do or not do could indirectly affect the Monarchy in Australia and I should welcome any observations on a private and personal basis which you may care to make and which, as you see it, should be taken into account in the interests of the Monarchy in Australia.” In a letter from the Palace to Kerr on 04/11/75, the Palace reiterates the Queen’s personal interest in Kerr’s correspondence includes advice about the use of reserve powers. This was one week before the dismissal took place.

The only misrepresentation is that which Paul Kelly makes of the ARM (Paul Kelly, 16/7). Kelly’s assertion that the ARM’s statement was ‘false on the historical facts’ is in fact, itself false.

Kelly seems to believe that Buckingham Palace and the Queen should be beyond rebuke, instead asserting that questioning or making observations about their conduct is a ‘bad tactic’ because the Queen is so popular. 

No government official should be beyond reproach, especially not Australia’s Head of State. Australians should not have to put up with self-serving spin about our history from the Palace, and the ARM will continue to call them out for it.

Sandy Biar, National Director of the Australian Republic Movement.