Queen Elizabeth’s private secretary confirmed she read letters from former governor-general Sir John Kerr in which he deliberated over sacking Gough Whitlam in 1975 | CroweDM
Eight days later, Sir Martin sent a letter that canvassed options for Sir John and offered an insight into the level of interest being taken by the Palace in Sir John’s search for solutions.
In a letter on November 4, Sir Martin praised Sir John’s "skill and wisdom" in his handling of the crisis and offered him further thoughts on how to handle the impasse in the Parliament."With great respect, you are playing the 'vice-regal' hand with skill and wisdom," Sir Martin wrote to Sir John on November 4.
Archives director David Fricker acknowledged the role of Professor Hocking in securing the release of the papers and said the Archives was a "pro-disclosure" organisation that had to keep the letters secret because the Federal Court had ruled they were personal, before the High Court overturned this verdict and found they were official documents.
"My role will need some careful thought, though, of course, the classic constitutional convention will presumably govern the matter."The letters from the Palace also confirm the role of Prince Charles in hearing Sir John’s concerns when the two met in Papua New Guinea in September.
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