Original classification rating: PG.
This clip chosen to be PG
Clip description
Former Governor-General Sir John Kerr talks about using the reserve powers of the Australian Constitution to dismiss the government. He has never resiled from his actions and says he would do the same again today.
Curator’s notes
This is dramatic and historic material, and a unique moment in the annals of Australian current affairs. It is the very first interview given by the former Governor-General since he dismissed the Labor Government in 1975, and this is the very last program of This Day Tonight. The former Governor-General is about to publish his autobiography, Matters For Judgement, published by Macmillan in 1978, so he sees this interview as a chance to tell Australians about its forthcoming release but offers nothing new about the events of 1975.
Unusually, the interview constitutes almost the whole program. Usually, in keeping with its magazine style, the program is made up of several shorter items. Simply shot, with Kerr kept in close-up against a plain background and only the occasional cut-away to the questioner, we are able to focus intently on what he says, as the audience of the time would have wanted to.
The interviewer is Paul Murphy who returned to Australia at the end of his years with This Day Tonight. He presented the ABC radio current affairs program PM for a decade before becoming the presenter of SBS’s weekly television current affairs program Dateline.
Thanks to the generosity of the rights holders, we are able to offer The dismissal from the television program This Day Tonight – The Last Program as a high quality video download.
To play the downloadable video, you need QuickTime 7.0, VLC, or similar.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading the clip:
Downloadable Video – FOR EDUCATIONAL CRITICISM AND REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY
This clip is available for download for the limited purpose of criticism and review in an educational context. You must obtain permission from editorial@aso.gov.au for all other purposes for use of this material.
Terms & Conditions
australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described here and elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.
All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions. ALL rights are reserved.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading this clip:
When you access ABC materials on australianscreen you agree that:
- You may download this clip to assist your information, criticism and review purposes in conjunction with viewing this website only;
- Downloading this clip for purposes other than criticism and review is Prohibited;
- Downloading for purposes other than non-commercial educational uses is Prohibited;
- Downloading this clip in association with any commercial purpose is Prohibited;
The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.
ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
This clip is available in the following configurations:
| File name | Size | Quality | Suitability |
|
daytonig1_pr.mp4
|
Large: 13.3MB |
High |
Optimised for full-screen display on a fast computer. |
|
daytonig1_bb.mp4
|
Medium: 6.3MB |
Medium |
Can be displayed full screen. Also suitable for video iPods. |
Right-click on the links above to download video files to your computer.
Thanks to the generosity of the rights holders, we are able to offer this clip in an embeddable format for personal or non-commercial educational use in full form on your own website or your own blog.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before embedding the clip:
Downloadable Video – FOR EDUCATIONAL CRITICISM AND REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY
This clip is available for download for the limited purpose of criticism and review in an educational context. You must obtain permission from editorial@aso.gov.au for all other purposes for use of this material.
Terms & Conditions
australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described here and elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.
All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions. ALL rights are reserved.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading this clip:
When you access ABC materials on australianscreen you agree that:
- You may download this clip to assist your information, criticism and review purposes in conjunction with viewing this website only;
- Downloading this clip for purposes other than criticism and review is Prohibited;
- Downloading for purposes other than non-commercial educational uses is Prohibited;
- Downloading this clip in association with any commercial purpose is Prohibited;
The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.
ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
Copy and paste the following code into your own web page to embed this clip:
Share
