Hints of the letters’ contents, identified by Hocking among Kerr’s archived papers, suggest the full records could be explosive.
Kerr’s 1980 journal details how he communicated with the Queen’s private secretary, Martin Charteris, directly about the safety of his own job in the lead up to the dismissal.
Kerr referred in his journal to communications with Charteris about his fears Whitlam could recall him if he found out he was secretly considering the dismissal.
The records also suggest Kerr confided in Prince Charles just a month before the crisis began that he was considering dismissing Whitlam.
Again Kerr expressed concern for the chance Whitlam may have him recalled.
Charteris told Kerr the palace would act to delay matters if “the contingency to which you refer” occurred.
Hocking described those communications as “politically and constitutionally shocking”, because the prime minister is supposed to have the sole responsibility for advising the Queen on who should be governor general.
