A Terrific Victory. Excellent news from Australia

Why Goof Whitlam is relevant now is a mystery to me the fact is when the Australians vote to abandon the link to Britain it will be gone, they can then elect their own figurehead President.

With the laughable state of Australian politics I would have thought the stability of the Queen as head of state was a good thing. At present a majority of Aussies agree too.

BTW, I’m not claiming U.K. politics is any better.

The implication seems to be that he was sacked for being too left wing. Under 'cover' of him causing some sort of breach of the constitution.

I know nothing about all this - sorry! Can someone explain why he was sacked? Thanks

Anniebach

The Queen signs her letters ‘yours etc’ !

Yours etc
LOL

Elizabeth R

I have two cousins (sisters) living in Australia . One moved there in 1974, the other many years later in 1990. The elder doesn't remember much about it, and both are pretty disinterested!! At the time, better things to think about I guess, and now? We've all moved on + just too long ago !

DH still has his petrol coupons somewhere.
Not that he hoards, perhaps just in case.

That's right, Cal. Petrol coupons and a national 50 mph speed limit.

And roaring inflation...

I knew there was something else going on, it was the OPEC problems.
Was that when we were issued with petrol coupons?

As well as the fact that I was pregnant.

Hmmm. I had a look at Wikipedia and it seemed to me that what Whitlam was trying to achieve was all pretty good stuff. Unfortunately it was happening at the same time as the OPEC oil price rises which tipped the world into economic chaos for a while.

As to the politics of it all, the rights and wrongs of it, without really concentrating and studying hard it completely lost me...

Rufus2

^The Whitman government changed lives for the better for all Australians^
Grany Are you sure? Not for me! I was busy working and putting down roots, such as buying a house and his contribution of extreme interest rates and out-of-control financial management was driving the country into recession.
If you are obtaining your opinions from Wikipedia, as it appears, read on.
Btw; Where are you?
OoRoo

I'll ask my Australian relatives too, Rufus
I'm sure one mentioned struggling to start up a business and having a high mortgage rate too.

However, I was otherwise engaged in 1975 and can only vaguely remember.
There were far more important things to think about here.

Prince Charles also involved in discussing the Governor General's position with the Governor General.

@palaceletters
says “These are not appropriate conversations to be having between the governor general and a member of the royal family.”

"Historian Prof Jenny Hocking, whose court case led to the release of the letters, said it was “scandalous” for the governor general to take legal advice from the Queen’s private secretary over the attorney general. "

If anyone would like to read the letters here they are. Released today.

amp.abc.net.au/article/12452616?__twitter_impression=true

Well it will be interesting to read the letters. I know there was much optimism to getting a Labour PM I read he achieved some reforms. But there was controversy so looking forward to reading what happened. I am from UK Cornwall now living in SE London and helping to bring up my only grandchild.

OoRoo

well that eventually went well didn’t it?
suziewoozie Oscar Wilde did say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, didn't he?
I've just suggested to the OP that she read (and quote) more from Wikipedia in order to present a fair balance!
Perhaps you could do the same!?
OoRoo

The Whitman government changed lives for the better for all Australians
Grany Are you sure? Not for me! I was busy working and putting down roots, such as buying a house and his contribution of extreme interest rates and out-of-control financial management was driving the country into recession.
If you are obtaining your opinions from Wikipedia, as it appears, read on.
Btw; Where are you?
OoRoo

The Queen signs her letters ‘yours etc’ !

I was a teenager, far too busy having fun.

I don't remember any of it from 1975. I was too busy have a baby.

"Do you mean Gough Whitlam ?" That's correct Yes I do MawB

Grany

Very well put suziewoozie The Whitman government changed lives for the better for all Australians.

I would like to see the letters.

Do you mean Gough Whitlam ?

The role of the queen has been characterised as very largely a symbolic and ceremonial one. It is always stressed that the royal family is neutral in political terms.

However, we have already had the case of Charles trying to influence political policy in a number of areas. This includes efforts to intervene in matters concerning the Church and the judiciary in seeking support for a man who was subsequently convicted of sexual offences against minors.

Though the issue with Gough Whitlam was back in the 70's it is obviously important and relevant because we still have the same system of covert power and authority. As it appears the correspondence was intended to be kept secret, that is even more reason why the public at large should see its contents.

Wow Spice just wow. This is about the fundamental concept of democracy and the role of an unelected monarch in bringing down a government and wanting to keep her unacceptable behaviour quiet. If it were all fine and dandy why have they fought for years not to let us know? The fact is the monarchy still interferes in the democratic process and they don’t want us to have reason to discuss that, do they?

I met John Kerr. Was introduced when at Uni in WA, very urbane and pleasant man. No idea what he was like as politician.

Personally I don't believe it is a "terrific victory" or "Excellent news from Australia" - Yes I live in Australia

There may well have been an issue at the time but there is IMO nothing to be gained except political points by releasing the letters. I doubt that there is a government in the world that can put their hand up and say everything they did was above board. The only people that think there is anything to be achieved by releasing these letters is those that would be pleased to show the Queen in a bad light.

In this time of unrest I don't think we need any more and it will not change anything. Still perhaps the media have run their course with coronavirus and are looking for a new horse to flog.

Very well put suziewoozie The Whitman government changed lives for the better for all Australians.

I would like to see the letters.