Tomorrow marks fifty years since the infamous moment when a clearly nervous spokesperson for the Governor General stood on the steps of Parliament House and announced that Gough Whitlam had been dismissed.

But what happened on Remembrance Day in 1975 wasn’t just an unprecedented political crisis — it was a warning. One that exposed the fragility of our constitution and the lingering power of a system designed to serve the monarchy, ahead of the people. 

Since then, nothing has changed to stop it all from happening again.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on what the dismissal revealed about Australia’s democratic foundations – and why he says we need to become a Republic to stop history repeating.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno

Photo: PR HANDOUT

Tomorrow marks fifty years since the infamous moment when a clearly nervous spokesperson for the Governor General stood on the steps of Parliament House and announced that Gough Whitlam had been dismissed.
But what happened on Remembrance Day in 1975 wasn&rsquo;t just an unprecedented political crisis &mdash; it was a warning. One that exposed the fragility of our constitution and the lingering power of a system designed to serve the monarchy, ahead of the people.&nbsp;
Since then, nothing has changed to stop it all from happening again.
Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on what the dismissal revealed about Australia&rsquo;s democratic foundations &ndash; and why he says we need to become a Republic to stop history repeating.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at&nbsp;<a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno
Photo:&nbsp;PR HANDOUT

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

50 years on, could the Dismissal happen again?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1499c469-f212-4194-9828-b38e0049a140/transcript

Advertisement