PRIME MINISTER 7
PRESS STATEMENTNOVEMBER 14, 1975
Mr Whitlam's assertion that I should have resigned on the
basis of Tuesdays No Confidence Motion is nonsense. The
present situation arose because for the first time in nearly
200 years a Prime Minister refused to resign when Parliament
cut off his money.
Mr Whitlam refused to seek an election and refused to give
the people of Australia the vote which was needed to resolve
the situation. If he had done this he would have faced the
electors as Prime Minister.
Knowing quite well the Liberal and National Country Parties
did not have a majority in the House of Representatives, I
recommended a double dissolution to the Governor General
immediately the Appropriation Bills had received the royal
assent. That recommendation
to the Labor Party.
position were cited
enabling them to be
of Parliament after
to use that device. was in the most favourable terms possible
The 21 bills in a double dissolution
in the petition dissolving Parliament, thus
put to a joint sitting of the two chambers
December 13 if the new Government chooses
We certainly would not do so. The bills contain arbitrary and
dictatorial powers. / 2
PRIME MINISTER -2-
The dissolution thus is in the fairest possible form. The
course was open to Mr Whitlam
It was a proper course of action which he refused.
The great difference between Mr Whitlam and myself was in
recognising that neither of us had command of Parliament.
Mr Whitlam refused to understand that and to seek an election.
I recommended an election forthwith, so that the voters could
decide this issue.