May We Say...
9 November 1975
The Prime Minister’s Office
“Mr. Prime Minister,” said Whitlam’s private secretary as he entered the room, “Urgent communique from Mr. Fraser’s office.” The secretary thrust a piece of paper towards Whitlam, who stood from his desk to grasp it.
“Thank you,” Whitlam said as he sat back down. The paper read:
Mr. Prime Minister. We need to resolve this crisis as soon as we can. I propose negotiations between ALP and Coalition leaders.
Whitlam rolled his eyes and picked up the phone. “For God sake Fraser, you could have just phoned me,” Whitlam sneered when Fraser answered.
“
Nice of you to respond to my message Mr. Prime Minister.”
“What do you want?”
“We need to meet. This situation cannot go on.”
“Fine. We are both in Melbourne tomorrow, but there is no chance of any kind of meeting there. So how about 9am on the eleventh here at Parliament?”
“
I’ll have my people set it up,” Fraser replied gleefully.
Whitlam’s aide looked confused. “Why the eleventh Mr. Prime Minsiter?”
“It’s the last day I can call for a half-Senate election before Christmas. The government can only last so long without supply.”
10 November 1975
Lord Mayor of Melbourne’s Banquet
Whitlam stood in the corner of the room to avoid any awkward conversations with the people mulling around in the centre of the room. He gestured for his aide to join him.
“Do you know Mr. Fraser’s plans to return to Canberra this evening?”
“Ah, I’m afraid I don’t Mr. Prime Minister.”
“Bring them back on my VIP jet for the meeting tomorrow morning.”
11 November 1975
The Cabinet Room, 9:00am
Gough Whitlam had decided that the cabinet room was the easiest place to host the meeting with Fraser and other Opposition Leaders, but also to remind them who was in charge of the country. Whitlam was flanked by Frank Crean, the Deputy Prime Minister and Fred Daly, the Leader of the House. One of Whitlam’s aides opened the door and Fraser and Doug Anthony, Leader of the Country Party shuffled in and took their seats. The Labor leaders refused to stand.
“Let’s just cut to the chase here Malcolm,” Whitlam said, leaning into the table, “supply must be passed.”
Fraser, still adjusting to his seat replied, “Not as far as my party is concerned.”
“We need to stop playing politics and put the country first Malcolm,” Daly snapped.
Fraser, finally settled, let out a sly grin. “Mr. Daly,” he began, “from my position, me playing politics
is putting the country first. I have watched as your government led Australia into a recession. That is my main concern. Your socialist-inspired government has damaged the government and you can no longer fund yourself – the Loans Affair proved that. I believe that it is within the best interests of the country to ensure that your government collapses.”
Whitlam stood before speaking. “Well it is clear that you have no interest in a meaningful negotiation Mr. Fraser. I will be advising the Governor-General to call a half-Senate election for 13 December.”
“I do not believe the Governor-General will grant an election without supply. He might make his own mind Mr. Prime Minister,” Fraser said as he rose.
“Oh, I highly doubt that Mr. Fraser.”
The Prime Minister’s Office, 9:30am
“
Ah, Gough,” said the Governor-General over the phone, “
how can I help?”
“I need to meet with you John. Formal advice and such,” Whitlam replied.
“
I see. When is the earliest convenience for you? Being Remembrance Day, I have several duties to attend to.”
“Of course, Remembrance Day, I had almost forgotten. I have a caucus meeting in half-an-hour and a censure motion in the house to deal with later on. Say around 1 o’clock p.m.?”
“
That should work. I shall see you then Gough,” Kerr stated, before Whitlam hung up the phone.
Government House, 9:40am
Having just spoken to Whitlam, John Kerr dialed the number of a different parliamentarian.
“
Malcolm Fraser’s office,” came the voice of an aide on the other end.
“The Governor-General Sir John Kerr for Malcolm Fraser please,” Kerr replied. After a few moments of waiting, Fraser picked up the phone.
“
Ah, Your Excellency, how may I help?” Fraser said.
“I have just spoken with the Prime Minister. He is going to advise an election, one assumes, but I must consider all alternative options. If I dismiss the government and commission you as Prime Minister, would you be able to secure supply, immediately thereafter advise a double-dissolution and refrain from new policies and investigations of the Whitlam government pending the election?” Several moments elapsed before Fraser’s response.
“
Yes. I can agree to that Your Excellency,” Fraser stated calmly.
“Excellent,” Kerr stated, “I feel I will be talking to you later on, Mr. Fraser.”
Labor Party Caucus, 10:00am
“I shall advise the Governor-General to call a half-Senate election for 13 December of this year. This should return with a majority in our favor in the Senate. The government will run on interim supply and payment vouchers as advised by the Treasury.” Whitlam’s address to the party caucus was short and succinct. Unsurprisingly, the caucus voted in favor of the advising of an election.
The Prime Minister’s Office, 10:30am
The phone rang on the desk of Whitlam’s personal aide, who answered quickly.
“The Prime Minister’s office,” he said.
“
I am calling from the Office of the Governor-General,” stated the voice on the other end, “
I am calling to confirm the Governor-General’s meeting with the Prime Minister for 12:45p.m. this afternoon.”
“Of course,” Whitlam’s aide replied, “I will inform the Prime Minister at once.” The aide hung up the phone and scribbled down on a piece of paper: “
Meeting with GG moved – 12:45” and handed it to another aide to deliver to the Prime Minister.
The note never arrived.
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This timeline is entering the final stretch. And yes, the PoD hasn't actually occurred yet, but it will become obvious when it arrives. The next few posts are all set on 11 November. Hopefully I can post those two 'chapters' if you like, on the same day in honour of the 40th anniversary of the most controversial chapter of Australian political history.
I am thinking of continuing this timeline to explore the implications of the dismissal into the 80s, so let me know if you are interested in that
And God Save The Queen