A tumultuous chapter in Australia's parliamentary history when a no-confidence motion was filed against the Prime Minister

Imran Khan is the third Pakistani prime minister in the country's parliamentarian history facing a vote of no confidence but the vote of no confidence in Australian politics is linked to a tumultuous chapter of Australia's parliamentary history. In 1975, the Australian parliament passed a vote of no confidence against Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser after Gough Whitlam had been dismissed as prime minister- rest is history. Most Australian historians and analysts agreed that it was the biggest crisis of Australian parliamentary history. Read more here.

The Voice is an Indigenous advisory body that will provide Parliament guidance in matters that affect First Nations’ peoples. Source: Parliamentary Education Office

Gough Whitlam became Australia’s 21st Prime Minister on 5 December 1972 following the Australian Labor Party (ALP) victory at the election on 2 December. His Labor government, the first after more than two decades, set out to change Australia through a wide-ranging reform program and was re-elected at the double dissolution election of 18 May 1974. Whitlam’s term abruptly ended when his government was dismissed by the Governor-General on 11 November 1975. The motion passed, but Governor General's decision to dissolve both houses pre-empted it, so it didn’t technically take effect. We dug the National archive of Australia in search of a tremulous piece of Australian politics. Read more here.

Malcolm Fraser was appointed caretaker prime minister following Gough Whitlam's dismissal in 1975. Source: National Library of Australia

1975 is considered the most the most divisive time of Australian political history.

Gough Whitlam on the steps of Old Parliament House after his government was dismissed in 1975. Source: National Library of Australia

The Senate refused to pass the supply— Budget bills—of the government, led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This caused a deadlock which could be used as a double dissolution trigger. The most famous of these double dissolutions occurred in 1975.

Governor General Sir John Kerr Source: National Archives of Australia

One consequence of the 1975 political crisis has been that both governments and oppositions have been reluctant to take matters to extremes. But interestingly many prime ministers were lost to the chair by their parties' internal rifts and by no confidence of their own colleagues. 

Scene of a debate session in Australian parliament. Source: https://peo.gov.au

Reference:

• Australian Parliament House
• National Archives of Australia
• Gough Whitlam Guide to Archives of Australia’s Prime Ministers

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