Explain Constitutional crisis of 1975 in Australia.
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Explain Constitutional crisis of 1975 in Australia.
The constitutional crisis of 1975 in Australia was a pivotal event in the nation's political history, culminating in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. The crisis revolved around a political deadlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate, triggered by a budgetary dispute and exacerbated by political tensions between the ruling Labor government and the opposition Liberal-National Coalition.
The crisis began when the opposition-controlled Senate refused to pass the government's budget bills, effectively blocking the supply of funds needed to finance government operations. Prime Minister Whitlam sought to break the deadlock by calling a double dissolution election, in which all seats in both houses of parliament would be contested. However, Governor-General Kerr, acting on advice from opposition leader Malcolm Fraser, instead issued a proclamation dissolving both houses of parliament and calling for a general election.
In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister Whitlam was dismissed from office by Governor-General Kerr on November 11, 1975, and Fraser was appointed caretaker Prime Minister. The dismissal sparked widespread controversy and public outcry, with accusations of constitutional overreach, political interference, and betrayal of democratic principles.
The crisis raised fundamental questions about the role and powers of the Governor-General, the conventions of responsible government, and the limits of executive authority in Australia's parliamentary democracy. It also led to calls for constitutional reform and greater clarity regarding the reserve powers of the Governor-General.
Ultimately, the Liberal-National Coalition won the subsequent election in a landslide victory, with Malcolm Fraser becoming Prime Minister. The events of 1975 left a lasting impact on Australian politics, shaping public perception of the judiciary, the executive, and the balance of power between the branches of government.