Ep 17 – Years of rage: social conflict in the Malcolm Fraser era
People's History of Australia - A podcast by People's History of Australia
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In November 1975, the elected Labor Party government of Australia was sacked without notice by Sir John Kerr, the governor-general. Having single-handedly gotten rid of the elected government, Sir John then personally appointed a new government of his own choosing led by Malcolm Fraser and the Liberal Party. The dismissal – or the Kerr Coup as many referred to it – was one of the most dramatic events in Australian history, and ushered in a period of intense social conflict. For the next eight years, Malcolm Fraser’s prime ministership was marked by general strikes, high levels of industrial disputes and working-class militancy, riots in the streets, powerful environmental campaigns, and vibrant social movements against the oppression of women, LGBTQ people, Aboriginal people and migrants. To tell the story of this incredible era, we're joined by Diane Fieldes, a socialist activist and historian. People's History of Australia is currently running a small fundraiser! You can donate to keep us on the air here: https://gofund.me/a00c27db
