More than 2,000 pages of letters spanning 36 years and nine prime ministers have now been made public, albeit with disappointing redactions throughout.
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While many of the letters are quite candid, their release after so many years is hardly damaging, and the efforts to keep them secret for so long are again shown to be absurd.
An immense trove of the most important royal historical material for decades has just quietly been made public in the United Kingdom.
Historical artefacts of every facet of Australian life - from government to migration to popular culture - is held by the National Archives. Without an urgent injection of funds, it could all be lost.
The Australian Republic Movement wants to release a new model for an Australian head of state by the end of the year.
In this extract from Jenny Hocking’s new book, Buckingham Palace becomes alarmed when Sir John Kerr agitates for the release of the so-called “palace letters” to bolster his version of events.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Geoff Kitney on a life in journalism and the contemporary media landscape
Michelle Grattan sits down with veteran journalist Geoff Kitney to discuss his career.
Michelle Grattan discusses the week in politics with Professor Paddy Nixon
In the midst of our present crisis, this week’s release of the Palace letters has taken us back to the debate about another crisis, massive at the time and of lasting significance but rather put into perspective…
A new poll shows nearly two-thirds of Australians want an Australian head of state. A new republic model, however, would require compromise to succeed.
The letters confirm the worst fears of those who viewed Governor-General John Kerr’s sacking of the Whitlam government as a constitutional coup.
There are many questions regarding The Dismissal that can still be debated. But the queen simply advised the governor-general to follow the constitution, which is as she should have done.
After a long court battle, Australians are finally about to learn more about one of the most pivotal episodes in our political and constitutional history.
The dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975 is our story, and we have a right to know it in full.
However, the win does not necessarily mean the public will have access to the letters - much now rests on what the National Archives does next.
As the ‘palace letters’ case heads to the High Court, there is much at stake for our understanding of this pivotal time in Australian political history.
Top contributors
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Emeritus Professor, Monash University
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Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Professor, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra
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Associate Professor, Monash Business School, Director Corporate Law, Organisation and Litigation Research Group (CLOL), Monash University
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Professor of History, President, Australian Historical Association, Macquarie University