On October 15, 1975, two days after Rex Connor resigned from Cabinet, Opposition Leader Malcolm Fraser made his move. Arguing that:
The incompetence, the damage, the failures of the worst Government in our history cannot be ignored.
Fraser harnessed what he saw as his opportunity to catch Whitlam ‘with his pants well and truly down’. At 2:56pm Fraser announced that he would use his Senate majority to block Supply until the Government agreed to call an election.
In Fraser’s view:
The opposition now has no choice. We will use the power vested in us by the Constitution and delay the passage of the Government’s money bills through the Senate until the Parliament goes to the people.
Whitlam responded:
I state again the basic rule of our parliamentary system: Governments are made and unmade in the House of Representatives—the people’s House. The Senate cannot, does not, and must never determine who the Government shall be.
; "Gough Whitlam and ACTU President Bob Hawke.")
Gough Whitlam and ACTU President Bob Hawke stand united. Hawke promises Whitlam the support of the unions throughout the turbulent weeks ahead. Image courtesy of The Herald and Weekly Times.
; "Malcolm Fraser.")
Malcolm Fraser (right) argues that the Whitlam Government has been the most incompetent in Australia’s history. Image courtesy of News Limited.
; "The Senate Chamber, Parliament House.")
The Senate Chamber, Parliament House, scene of the start of the political crisis of October - November 1975. Old Parliment House collection.