The book is an account of Sir John Kerr's (Governor General) dismissal of the Whitlam Government dismissal in 1975. The Whitlam (ALP) government lost the election that followed this unprecedented act.The author, Gough Whitlam, was Prime Minister at the time of the dismissal. Whilst governor generals have the power to independently call for a double dissolution, Sir John Kerr's act was unprecedented and has not happened since.Paper; book. Front cover: Photograph of Gough Whitlam; author name and title.kerr, sir john, whitlam, gough, alp, australian labor party, btlc, ballarat trades and labor council, 1975, remembrance day, parliament, government, dismissal - government, senate, fraser, malcolm, constitutional crisis, constitution, double dissolution election, appropriation bills, governor general, prime minister

An autobiography. Sir John Kerr's (Governor General) dismissal of the Whitlam ALP Government in 1975 brought on a constitutional crisis. The Whitlam (ALP) government lost the election that followed this unprecedented act. Political and constitutional significance. Autobiographical.Book; 468 pages. Dustjacket: author and other information in black lettering; title in green lettering; black and white photograph of Sir John Kerr.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, politics and government, prime ministers - australia - gough whitlam, politicians, whitlam, gough, kerr, sir john, governor general, constitution - australia, history - australia

The Whitlam ALP government came to power in 1972 after 23 years in opposition. Whitlam's government was aspirational in terms of its social justice and equality agenda. The government was dismissed on 11 November 1975 by the governor general, Sir John Kerr; this act was unprecedented. The book is written by Garfield Barwick who was a high court judge; Barwick provided advice to Sir John Kerr at the time. The author defends the appropriateness/legality of Kerr's role and decision making at the time of the dismissal. The ALP lost the election held on 13 December that was caused by the 1975 double dissolution/constitutional crisis.Relevance to Australian political and constitutional history. Book; 129 pages. Front cover: white background; green illustration of a building; green lettering; author's name and title.Price - 50c - in pencil.btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, politics and government, constitution - australia, kerr, sir john, barwick, garfield, whitlam, gough, prime ministers - australia - gough whitlam, prime ministers - australia - malcolm fraser, fraser, malcolm, dismissal - government, courts - high court, parliament, australian labor party, alp, liberal party australia