This was published 13 years ago
The Whitlam era
Newly-discovered private records of Sir John Kerr suggest that former chief justice Sir Anthony Mason was the "third man" who offered secret advice in the lead up to the governor-general's dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975. We take a look back at Kerr, Mason and the key moments in Gough Whitlam's tenure as Prime Minister.
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Investiture at Government House. Governor General Designate Sir John Kerr and the PM Mr Gough Whitlam enjoy a drink after the ceremony.18th April 1974Credit:Fairfax Archives
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Justice Sir Anthony Mason of the High Court.November 1972Credit:Fairfax Archives
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Gough Whitlam opens Labour Election campaign, delivering his policy speech, at Blacktown Civic Centre, 13 November 1972.Credit:Rick Stevens
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Gough Whitlam opens Labour Election campaign, crowds inside the hall, at Blacktown Civic Centre, 13 November 1972Credit:Rick Stevens
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Gough Whitlam opens Labour Election campaign, delivering his policy speech, at Blacktown Civic Centre, 13 November 1972.Credit:Rick Stevens
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Sir John Kerr and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in procession in the King's Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, for the swearing in of Kerr as the new Governor General, 11 July 1974.Credit:Fairfax Archives
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Swearing in of the new Governor General, Sir John Kerr, by the acting Cheif Justice of Australia, Sir Edward McTiernan, in the Senate Chamber of Parliament House, Canberra - Kerr holdsa a bible and to the left of pic is the Prime Minister Mr. Gough Whitlam, 11 July 1974.Credit:supplied
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Mr. Gough Whitlam Australian Prime Minister escorts the Queen from parliament house after the parliamentary luncheon. Queen Elizabeth visit to Australia 7th Nov 1973.Credit:Fairfax Archives
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Frank Crean, Gough Whitlam, John Kerr and Jim Cairns after Cairns was sworn in as treasurer replacing Crean who became Minister for Overseas Trade in Canberra on 11 December 1974.Credit:Peter Wells
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The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam stars as himself in a scene being shot at Sydney Airport today for the next Bazza McKenzie film "Bazza Holds His Own", Mascot, 20 April 1974.Credit:Fairfax Archives
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ALP conference at Terrigal, Bob Hawke and Gough Whitlam, 4th November 1975.Credit:Russell McPhedran
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Gough Whitlam looks on quizzically as the Governor-General s Official Secretary, David Smith, announces that Sir John Kerr has dismissed the Whitlam government and installed Malcolm Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister.Credit:National Archives of Australia
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Gough Whitlam with hands raised greets crowd on steps of Parliament House, 1975Credit:Michael Rayner
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Front page of The Age from 1975 - Kerr Sacks PM.Credit:Supplied
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Sir Anthony Mason in his chambers in Sydney.24th August 2012.Credit:Janie Barrett