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

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 Australia

Speakers

Anne TwomeyProfessor Emerita of Constitutional Law at the University of Sydney Law School

Frank 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 Whitlam

Paul Barclay (host)Broadcaster and former presenter of Big Ideas