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18 May 1974

Gough Whitlam stood watching the television as the ABC News announced the election results. The parliament had been dissolved in a double dissolution after the Liberal-Country Coalition refused to pass six bills in the Senate. With a hostile Senate, Whitlam’s government was paralysed, and he hoped to win a renewed mandate for social progression and economic recovery following the crippling oil crisis that had sparked recession.

“And with five seats left to count, Gough Whitlam looks set to retake the office of Prime Minister by a very narrow margin.”

19 May 1974

“While we didn’t win, we didn’t lose either,” said Billy Snedden as addressed a press conference. “We may not have been elected into government, but Leader of the Country Party Doug Anthony and I are committed to retaining dominance in the Senate. Without support in the Senate, Whitlam’s government is stuck. I count that as a victory for the Coalition.”
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