The Eleventh

ABC

4.6 (1.7K)
HISTORY
SERIES

The Eleventh is an explosive thriller teasing out everything you never knew about one of the most famous chapters of Australian political history — the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

EPISODE 1

01 | Sweet Spot

It's 1972. Australia has an appetite for change. Gough Whitlam exploits the mood of the nation to become Prime Minister but not everyone appreciates the headlong rush into a more modern Australia. Pretty soon, the new government is making some powerful enemies. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh *WARNING: This episode contains some strong language.

37 min
EPISODE 2

02 | Black Orchids

The Government raids ASIO because they suspect the spy agency has dropped the ball on tracking terrorism. The raid causes panic as far afield as the Langley, Virginia, headquarters of the US Central Intelligence Agency. A keen young Australian correspondent called Ray Martin gets a scoop on the story. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh *WARNING: This episode contains some strong language.

36 min
EPISODE 3

03 | Dangerous Circus

Gough Whitlam repeatedly ignores warnings while his government lurches from scandal to scandal. The powerful media, once in his corner, start to lose faith, and the twin scandals — the Morosi affair and the Loans affair — are frontpage news. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh *WARNING: This episode contains some strong language.

43 min
EPISODE 4

04 | The Advisor

Young feminist Elizabeth Reid gets a job advising Gough Whitlam on women's issues. As this idealistic new recruit tries to work within the system to change it, she gets caught smack in the middle of an epic struggle between the nation's most powerful men. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh

41 min
EPISODE 5

05 | Deadlock

Gough Whitlam and his political rival Malcolm Fraser enter a high stakes stalemate, each side daring the other to blink. As the problems mount for the government, a grave warning emerges from the most unlikely of quarters. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh

53 min
EPISODE 6

06 | The Eleventh

The 11th of November 1975 starts optimistically. Both sides of parliament think the day will present them with a positive resolution to the crisis. But, when Gough Whitlam is summoned to see the Governor General, things spiral completely out of control. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh

48 min
EPISODE 7

07 | State Secrets

In the days, months and years following The Dismissal, more clues emerge about exactly what went down, and who was pulling strings behind the scenes. In this final episode, we uncover the key names and players history almost left behind, and those still fighting to reveal them. More information, articles and videos at the show's website: abc.net.au/TheEleventh *WARNING: This episode contains some strong language.

57 min
SEASON 1 TRAILER

INTRODUCING — The Eleventh

What do you know about the 11th of November 1975? Maybe you've heard that famous, "Well may we say" speech made by Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on the day he was sacked by the Queen's representative in Australia... but do you really know what led up to the dismissal? The Eleventh relives the dramatic series of events that shook the foundations of Australia's democracy. The series takes you inside the highest circles of power to uncover pieces of this story that have never been told before... with lessons we should never forget.

4 min

See All Season 1 (8)

TRAILER

INTRODUCING — The Eleventh

What do you know about the 11th of November 1975? Maybe you've heard that famous, "Well may we say" speech made by Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on the day he was sacked by the Queen's representative in Australia... but do you really know what led up to the dismissal? The Eleventh relives the dramatic series of events that shook the foundations of Australia's democracy. The series takes you inside the highest circles of power to uncover pieces of this story that have never been told before... with lessons we should never forget.

S1

•

4 min

Alex Mann

Host

4.6

out of 5

1,742 Ratings

Great

14/11/2025

9958577584

Well done history lesson that is very interestingly
Rocky

18/11/2025

Pologypsy

Excellent content. Terrible and unnecessary sound - music?
Excellent podcast

07/05/2024

Lynda0444

I’ve read and watched many perspectives about the dismissal but had not heard about some of the events, personalities and their interactions in the lead up. Well written, narrated and researched.
Riveting Australian history!

28/04/2024

LadyLeah80

I wasn’t born yet when the dismissal of Gough went down, and I’ve only known the bare bones of the story. The ‘Eleventh’ opened my eyes to this scandalous time in Australian history. What a wild tale and what a cast of characters! A great listen. Excellent journalism, well done Alex Mann and all involved.

The Eleventh is an explosive thriller teasing out everything you never knew about one of the most famous chapters of Australian political history — the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.