The Dismissal deniers | The Spectator Australia

The Dismissal Anniversary and Sir John Kerr

Next Tuesday will mark the 50th anniversary of when governor-general Sir John Kerr legitimately used a power granted by the constitution to resolve a severe political deadlock and secure funds needed by the Crown to continue government operations. Despite this, Sir John has faced relentless criticism, both during his life and after his death.

Clarifying Sir John Kerr's Role

It is important to emphasize that Sir John Kerr did not remove a grossly incompetent government; that was the will of the Australian people. Kerr merely gave them the chance to make that change. More crucially, this outcome was a consequence rather than the reason for his decision.

Anticipating the Anniversary Reactions

The anniversary was expected to renew attacks on Sir John Kerr. However, what was unexpected was the extent of the opposition:

The event, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, features partisan figures like journalists Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston and academic Professor Jenny Hocking, all known critics of Kerr. Most participants are aligned with the Labor Party, ensuring the debate will be intense and polarized.

"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."
"Sir John Kerr did not deliver us from a grossly incompetent government. The people of Australia did that."

The anniversary will undoubtedly stir strong emotions at the heart of Australia's political history.

Summary: The 50th anniversary of Sir John Kerr's dismissal decision highlights ongoing fierce debate, reflecting deep political divides over his constitutional role and its consequences.

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

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