 These discussions commenced in September 1973.Kerr was announced as Governor-General-designate on 27 February 1974, by which time he had become Sir John Kerr.He been knighted in the New Year's Honours of 1974, on the advice of the Premier of New South Wales, Sir Robert Askin, after Whitlam had declined to endorse his predecessor William McMahon's recommendation for that honour, which Hasluck had wisely held back pending the outcome of the December 1972 election.