Sir John Kerr interviewed by Geoffrey Robertson, ABC Talking Shop, 11th Nov 1987

Talking Shop: Sir John Kerr. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC); originally aired on Wednesday, 11th November 1987. Lawyer and broadcaster Geoffrey Robertson and then-former Governor-General of Australia Sir John Kerr discuss the constitutional issues central to Kerr's dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in November 1975. They discuss the case for codifying the reserve powers of the Governor-General, and the case for Governors-General necessarily being experienced constitutional lawyers. They examine the circumstances of - and leading up to - the dismissal, and the personal vilification that Kerr subsequently suffered. They also explore the possibility of an Australian republic.

[@lakeside8069]

Why didn't Sir John give Gough the option of calling an election instead of making the decision without Gough's knowledge.

[@michaelayliffe7238]

It's a pity only 64 people watch this.

[@sweetcell8767]

PK summed it up best: “Kerr was a pseudo crim who should’ve been put under house arrest”. Gough stuffed up by returning to The Lodge to eat a steak. “God save the Queen” was a great line, but Kerr in restraints would’ve been better!!!

[@alexlanning712]

Kerr the cur

[@kevinhisee4265]

He did what was right. I salute you Sir John Robert Kerr.

[@ray.shoesmith]

Cool story bro. I can imagine if the tables were turned and the GG dismissed a sitting Liberal PM and installed an unelected Labor PM, for exactly the same reasons, you’d be calling for the silly old drunks head on a pike.
Next up, we’ll have the typical conservative response, denial in the face of undoubted truth. In 3-2-1…

[@lakeside8069]

@@ray.shoesmith Why didn't Sir John give Gough the option of calling an election instead of making the decision without Gough's knowledge.