Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?
Whitlam's dismissal and following double dissolution 50 years ago, was arguably the most tumultuous period in Australia's political and constitutional history. This political crisis raises key questions about constitutional change and the robustness of Australia's current democracy. What are the lessons? And could it happen again? Presented at the National Archives of Australia Speakers Anne Twomey Professor Emerita of Constitutional Law at the University of Sydney Law School Frank Bongiorno Professor of history, Australian National University From 2026, Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas and Director of the new Centre of Public Ideas at the University of Canberra Dr Brendan Lim Barrister and author of Australia's Constitution after Whitlam Paul Barclay (host) Broadcaster and former presenter of Big Ideas
November 11, 2025
54 min
122 of 248
November 11, 2025
Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?
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Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?
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Summary
<p>Whitlam's dismissal and following double dissolution 50 years ago, was arguably the most tumultuous period in Australia's political and constitutional history. This political crisis raises key questions about constitutional change and the robustness of Australia's current democracy. What are the lessons? And could it happen again?</p><p>Presented at the <a href="https://www.naa.gov.au/">National Archives of Australia</a></p><p>Speakers</p><p><a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/law/about/our-people/academic-staff/anne-twomey.html">Anne Twomey</a>Professor Emerita of Constitutional Law at the University of Sydney Law School</p><p><a href="https://history.cass.anu.edu.au/people/professor-frank-bongiorno">Frank Bongiorno</a>Professor of history, Australian National UniversityFrom 2026, Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas and Director of the new Centre of Public Ideas at the University of Canberra </p><p><a href="https://elevenwentworth.com/portfolio/brendan-lim/">Dr Brendan Lim</a>Barrister and author of Australia's Constitution after Whitlam</p><p>Paul Barclay (host)Broadcaster and former presenter of Big Ideas</p>