50 years ago a stalemate sparked a unique event in politics | 7.30

The dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975 has long overshadowed another monumental event in Australian political history from that era.

Just a year earlier, following his double dissolution election, Gough Whitlam asked the Governor-General to convene a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The joint sitting would force a showdown to pass the government's outstanding legislation and would essentially consider three issues. First, electoral reform to change the system which, until then, gave more power to the bush than the cities. Second, the establishment of Medibank, precursor of Medicare. Finally, new federal powers over the resources sector.

Laura Tingle looks back on its 50th anniversary.

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