A true insiders podcast on the 50th

November 10, 2025

Just when it seemed most everything had been said and all insights revealed about the events of 11 November 1975, along comes a most illuminating podcast on the crisis. I eagerly await Part Three of the outstanding ‘Pearlcast’ (extra kudos for the charming name) on the Dismissal, which should be compulsory listening for everyone interested in our past and future politics.

I’d long wondered whether the prime minister was told what was overheard from the Lynch/Fraser whispers about what was in store the next day and, if so, what Whitlam made of the remarks. The specific naming of the Lib senators about to break ranks and the likely timeline that would have broken the impasse are likewise dealt with in fascinating detail.

Five senators were going to walk? Then what was in prospect was not just the decisive collapse of Fraser’s strategy but — conceivably — his continued hold on the Opposition leadership. Finally, thank you to John Menadue for convincing me, after 50 years of not buying the foreign intelligence interference angle, that US and British spookery were indeed crucial in dialling up a febrile atmosphere to meltdown and — crucially — convincing Kerr that he could get away with it.