Fifty years have passed since Australia witnessed one of its most dramatic political moments - the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. While many remember the key figures like Whitlam and Governor-General Sir John Kerr, fewer recall the Wollongong politician whose actions helped set these events in motion.
The Wollongong MP at the centre of the storm
At the heart of the constitutional crisis stood Rex Connor, the Labor member for Cunningham and Minister for Minerals and Energy. Known as a passionate advocate for Australian resource development, Connor's ambitious plans would ultimately contribute to his government's downfall.
Connor had been part of Whitlam's historic 1972 victory, which ended 23 years of Liberal Party rule. His appointment to the resources portfolio placed him in a crucial position during the global energy crisis of 1974, when Australia's economy faced significant challenges.
The loan affair that shook a nation
Connor's solution to the economic pressures was to seek massive overseas loans. In December 1974, he received authorisation from the Federal Executive Council to raise US$4 billion in loans for temporary purposes, with Governor-General Kerr signing off the following day.
The minister began dealing with London-based commodities trader Tirath Khemlani, though no funds were ultimately secured. More damagingly, communications later revealed Connor had continued loan negotiations after his authority was revoked in May 1975.
During a special parliamentary sitting on July 9, 1975, Connor defended his actions vigorously. "I will give the answers and I will give the facts," he declared. "I am an honest man. I deal with honest people. I have no apologies whatever to make for what I have done."
The domino effect begins
When evidence emerged that Connor had continued loan discussions after his authority was withdrawn, Whitlam demanded his resignation. Connor stepped down as Minister for Minerals and Energy on October 14, 1975.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Fraser seized upon the controversy, using it as justification for the Coalition to block supply in the Senate. This constitutional tactic - refusing to pass essential budgetary legislation - aimed to force Whitlam into calling an election.
On November 11, 1975, Fraser again raised the loan affair during a censure motion, directly questioning Whitlam about destroyed documents and ongoing communications with Connor after May.
Later that same day, in one of Australian history's most controversial moves, Governor-General Kerr dismissed Whitlam as prime minister and commissioned Fraser as caretaker leader. Kerr immediately dissolved both houses of parliament, triggering an election.
Aftermath and legacy
The Coalition won the subsequent election with a 7.32 percent swing in their favour. Remarkably, despite an even larger 8.2 percent swing against him in his Wollongong electorate, Rex Connor retained his seat of Cunningham.
This would prove to be Connor's final election campaign. The controversial figure passed away in 1977 at age 70, having served nearly 14 years in Federal Parliament.
Fifty years later, the story of Rex Connor serves as a powerful reminder of how individual actions can shape national history, and how a politician from Wollongong found himself at the centre of Australia's most significant constitutional crisis.
