The Australian Government Crisis: 50 Years On

November 11, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the most significant—and controversial—crisis in Australian parliamentary history. On that day in 1975, a series of dramatic political events coalesced, culminating in the democratically elected Gough Whitlam-led federal Labor government becoming the first—and only—government in Australian history to be dismissed by the Governor-General (“Whitlam dismissal,” National Museum of Australia, September 29, 2022).

The crisis caused much debate regarding the legality of the Prime Minister’s removal from office by Governor-General Sir John Kerr, and the topic is still controversial today. The National Museum of Australia documents the following:

Contention still surrounds the dismissal, which occasioned passionate protest across the nation and divided opinion on both Australian democracy and the functioning of the parliament. Many opposed the actions of the Governor-General, an officer appointed by the Queen, in sacking a prime minister elected by the Australian people. Many disagreed with the ability of the Senate to block the effective functioning of an elected government. Others supported the process used to remove Whitlam, to break the parliamentary deadlock and instigate the December 1975 election as a use of constitutional powers, where democratic means had failed to succeed.

Ousting and Toppling

Some historians have concluded that the Governor-General’s decision was justified by the fact that the elections that followed the crisis gave the opposition Liberal Party a decisive victory. Indeed, the Labor government under Mr. Whitlam—democratically elected in 1972—had been decreasing in popularity due to a number of other controversies. Of course, Mr. Whitlam himself claimed he had been unjustifiably dismissed as the elected prime minister of the country, and his famous declaration in the aftermath of his ousting encapsulates his disgust at the Governor-General’s actions: “Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say, ‘God save the Queen,’ because nothing will save the Governor-General.” However, despite Mr. Whitlam’s legal protests, his Labor party ultimately had to accept its ousting.

Since the crisis, Australia’s two main political parties—Liberal and Labor—have continued to “battle it out” to win the votes of the populace. Like in other democratic countries, these parties are often at loggerheads and seek to undermine one another’s credibility. However, both parties have also struggled with internal problems over the past 50 years. It is not unheard of for an elected prime minister to be “stabbed in the back” and replaced with another leader whom the party deems more popular with voting citizens in a ploy to better position themselves at the next election. This occurred to both Labor’s Mr. Kevin Rudd, who was replaced with Ms. Julia Gillard in 2010, and also to Liberal’s Mr. Tony Abbott, who was ousted in an “inside job” by Mr. Malcolm Turnbull. The current Prime Minister of Australia, reelected to his second term in May 2025, is Mr. Anthony Albanese, leader of the Labor party—the same party that Gough Whitlam was in charge of 50 years ago.

One can only guess which party will win the support of the Australian populace at the next federal election, and there is no doubt that the Liberal party will be doing everything in its power to topple the current Labor government. Indeed, although the fall of the Whitlam-led government 50 years ago may have been the most dramatic in Australian history, it is in another sense just one more example of one administration replacing another, a phenomenon that has continued since Australia has been a nation—and will continue for the foreseeable future.

But did you know that the Bible prophesies of a time when governments ousting and toppling each other—both internally and externally—will end? Because those in the Western world have been conditioned to believe that democracy is the best form of government, you may be surprised to learn that the Bible does not support this teaching. Winston Churchill once said, “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time” (House of Commons, November 11, 1947).

Although one could certainly make a case—as Mr. Churchill opined—that there are many worse forms of governing people, democracy certainly has its shortcomings. Consider the nations of the Western world today—including Australia—which have seen immorality creep into their populaces, leading to the promotion of anti-biblical practices such as fornication, homosexuality, transgenderism, and abortion, just to name a few! When a society becomes more sinful, democracy can actually be one of the worst forms of government as governmental policies are being pushed and guided by an immoral populace.

A Benevolent Theocracy

It is instructive to note that the early Church of God, as described in the book of Acts, was not democratic. Leaders were appointed by the direction and authority of Christ through the hands of the leadership of the Church—leaders who themselves had been appointed to office (see Acts 6:1–4; 14:23; Titus 1:5). Similarly, when Jesus Christ returns to the earth in power and glory, He will not call for an election! He will not follow this world’s example of implementing a democratic system of government, and He won’t get involved in the dirty political games that lead to hate, division, and disunity.

The returning Jesus Christ will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords, heading a benevolent theocracy—a government with God at the top of the system (Revelation 19:11–16). And consistent with how He appointed leaders within His Church, He will appoint individuals under Him to positions of authority. Although we don’t know all of the appointments that He will make, Scripture tells us of some; David will be the king over the nation of Israel (Ezekiel 37:24–25) and the Twelve Apostles will each have rulership over one of Israel’s twelve tribes (Matthew 19:28). If you are prepared to come out of this world and learn God’s form of government now, you too may be used as a king and priest in that kingdom (Revelation 5:9–10)!

The Whitlam government came and went. Many governments will come and go between now and Christ’s return to the earth, some more dramatically than others. Our focus, through all the chaos, needs to remain fixed on the soon-coming King and His triumphant return, which will usher in a government that will never be overthrown (Daniel 2:44). If you would like to know more about this coming government, we invite you to request a free printed copy of The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? You can also read or listen to it right here at TomorrowsWorld.org.