Had the PNG model applied in Australia, Sir John Kerr could not have dismissed the Whitlam Government, only the PNG parliament can remove the prime minister.
In 1991 there was a fascinating instance of just how powerless the governor general is.
Ministers can only be appointed, and removed, by the prime minister as a rule.
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In 1991 the governor general, Sir Seri Eri, reinstated the deputy prime minister, Ted Diro, who had been suspended under the leadership code provisions.
The prime minister was Rabbie Namaliu. I was his senior advisor.
He found the suspension of his deputy frustrating as did I. Ted Diro was a friend. He was a key coalition leader.
But not even the prime minister can circumvent the leadership code. And the governor general most certainly can't.
We had no choice but to request the queen to dismiss the governor general. The parliament could have but the process would have taken time.
The Palace was contacted. A senior public servant was dispatched to London with a letter seeking the sacking of the governor general.
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The palace had made it clear the request would have been actioned by a her majesty.
Fortunately, Sir Seri resigned while the official was in transit.
What this incident showed was that if Gough Whitlam had got to the palace before he was formally sacked, he would have been successful.
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