Overview
- Anthony Albanese labeled the 11 November 1975 events a partisan ambush and a plot by conservative forces to remove a democratically elected government.
- He announced a commissioned statue of Gough Whitlam to be placed at Old Parliament House, home to the Museum of Australian Democracy.
- Whitlam was dismissed by Governor‑General Sir John Kerr during a Senate blockade of supply, with Malcolm Fraser appointed caretaker prime minister under reserve powers.
- The 2020 release of the palace letters showed Kerr had been corresponding with the Queen’s private secretary, adding new detail to assessments of the Crown’s involvement.
- Current Governor‑General Sam Mostyn said she would not act as Kerr did and would never surprise a prime minister, as commemorations featuring figures including Paul Keating proceed.