Page "1975 Australian constitutional crisis" Paragraph 37

At 9. 00 a. m. on 11 November, Whitlam, together with Deputy Prime Minister Crean and Leader of the House Fred Daly met with the Liberal and Country party leaders.

No compromise could be reached.

Whitlam informed the Coalition leaders that he would be advising Kerr to hold a half-Senate election on 13 December, and he would not be seeking interim supply for the period before the election.

Thinking it unlikely that Kerr would grant the election without supply, Fraser warned Whitlam that the Governor-General might make up his own mind about the matter.

Whitlam was dismissive and after the meeting broke, telephoned Kerr to tell him that he needed an appointment to advise him to hold a half-Senate election.

Both men were busy in the morning, Kerr with Remembrance Day commemorations, and Whitlam with a caucus meeting and a censure motion in the House which the Opposition had submitted.

The two discussed a meeting for 1. 00 p. m., though Kerr's office later called Whitlam's and confirmed the time as 12. 45.

Word of this change did not reach the Prime Minister.

Whitlam announced the request for a half-Senate election to his caucus, which approved it.