Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?

11/11/2025 54 min
Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?

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Episode Synopsis


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 AustraliaSpeakersAnne TwomeyProfessor Emerita of Constitutional Law at the University of Sydney Law SchoolFrank BongiornoProfessor 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 Dr Brendan LimBarrister and author of Australia's Constitution after WhitlamPaul Barclay (host)Broadcaster and former presenter of Big Ideas

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