After setting the scene, in the previous videos (including one on the threat of violence from the New Guard and one on the financial conflict with the Commonwealth), this video explains how and why the dismissal of the Lang Government occurred.

The Governor, Sir Philip Game, refused to dismiss Lang on the grounds of incompetence or mismanagement, as he did not regard these as sufficient justifications for dismissal. Illegality, however, was a different matter. He was not prepared to let the NSW Crown instruct public servants to breach the law. He gave Lang the opportunity to provide legal advice, defending the validity of his action, but Lang provided no such advice. He also gave Lang the opportunity to withdraw the instruction. Lang refused. He was then dismissed.

There will be one further video which will address the constitutional arguments about whether the Governor was justified in dismissing Lang in the circumstances.