Whitlam Commorates Joint Sitting

Date: 05 August 2004

As the nation waits to go to the polls to decide Australia's political future, it's time to reflect on an historic moment from our political past -
the 30th anniversary of the joint sitting of Australian Parliament.

To commemorate the anniversary, the University of Western Sydney‚s Whitlam
Institute is hosting an exhibition and morning tea on Friday 6 August at 10.30am at the UWS Parramatta Campus. The Hon. Gough Whitlam, AC QC, will give an address to 120 high school students about this unprecedented event in Australian politics.

In 1974, then Prime Minister Whitlam created history by utilising the provision in the Australian Constitution known as "section 57" to initiate a joint sitting of Parliament, and finally break the deadlock between the
House of Representatives and the Opposition-controlled Senate over six
pieces of Government legislation.

The most significant of these rejected bills was the Health Insurance Act, which provided the legislative framework for a universal health care system, Medibank the precursor to Medicare.

The first attempt under section 57 to break the deadlock, the May double dissolution election, saw the Government returned to office, but still
without a majority in the Upper House.

When Parliament resumed on 9 July, the Government was confronted with yet another Senate blockade over its program of legislation.

So, in a tactical use of the section 57 criteria, it was decreed that all 187 members of both Houses should come together in one sitting to vote on the bills.

This never-been-tried Prime Ministerial checkmate did not go uncontested, with two separate, and ultimately unsuccessful, High Court challenges to the joint sitting's legality.

The joint sitting was given the go ahead to commence at 10.30am on 6 August
1974.

Finally, the Government had the numbers it needed, and all six bills were passed and given the royal assent on 6 and 7 August.

Director of the Whitlam Institute, Ms Jacqueline Woodman, says the joint
sitting was a political milestone for a number of reasons.

"The events flowing on from the double dissolution election that culminated
in the historic joint sitting are a fascinating study of Australian politics.

"Section 57 of the Constitution was successfully tested in a way we
have not seen since," says Ms Woodman.

"After the double dissolution election failed to give the Government control of the Senate, Mr Whitlam effectively used the Constitution to bypass the roadblock and force a resolution.

He challenged the belief that only one
defeated bill could be used as justification for s.57.

He showed governments could stockpile rejected bills and use them when needed ˆ a move which greatly re-enforced the Prime Minister‚s powers."

The joint sitting also broke new ground in other areas.

"Before 1974, both Houses had only come together for the opening of Parliament, to hear an address by a visiting dignitary, or to hear
classified information during wartime," says Ms Woodman.

"Special rules in relation to standing orders for a joint sitting had to be drafted and approved, and legislation relating to parliamentary proceedings had to be amended. It was also the first time that parliamentary proceedings
were televised to the nation."

Ms Woodman says the Whitlam Institute is pleased to give high school students an opportunity to hear from Mr Whitlam about this important chapter in Australian politics.

"The anniversary is a chance to reflect on our political past and consider how it has shaped the politics of today.

It's interesting to note the joint sitting anniversary coincides with the resumption of Parliament this week, and the anticipated Senate debate on the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States," she says.

"I'm sure the 30th anniversary is a milestone that also has some significance for Prime Minister Howard, who, having being elected to
Parliament in the 1974 double dissolution election, voted at this historic
joint sitting."

As well as Mr Whitlam‚s address, an exhibition will be launched in the
Whitlam Reading Room, Superintendent‚s Cottage (Building ET) at the UWS
Parramatta Campus.

The exhibition will feature footage from the ABC television broadcast of the joint sitting, along with speeches, photographs and copies of Hansard.

The exhibition is open to the public MondayˆFriday from 9.00amˆ4.00pm. To
arrange a visit, call Whitlam Institute Archivist, Ian Duncan, on (02) 9685
9183.

WHAT: 30th anniversary of the joint sitting of Parliament
WHERE:Female Orphan School, UWS Parramatta Campus, Corner of Victoria Road and James Ruse Drive
WHEN: Friday 6 August 2004
TIME: 10.30am
MAP: http://www.uws.edu.au/about/locations/maps/parramattamap

For further information

Contact:	Amanda Whibley
Union:	University of Western Sydney
Phone:	02 9852 5824
Contact Mobile:	0418 438 399
Email:	a.whibley@uws.edu.au
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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