There was a narrative before gough whitlams death, and reinforced relentlessly in his passing, that, despite the economic chaos of his prime ministership, he fundamentally transformed australia for the better. A political biography of gough whitlam, by james walt. Edward gough whitlam born in kew, melbourne, a graduate of knox grammar and canberra grammar and a former barrister was the 21st prime minister of australia, from 1972 to 1975. In honour of the centenary of gough whitlams birth, a book is being launched in canberra which draws on the 93 condolence speeches made in federal parliament after whitlams death.
His labor party was elected after 23 years of government by the liberalcountry party coalition, and his government. Oct 21, 2014 gough whitlam may have taken great delight in designing his own funeral arrangements or at least a selfmocking fantasy version of them. This book includes condolences from politicians of all political stripes. In a land where prosperity and complacency often deliver mundane politics, the whitlam government was an extraordinary symphony of soaring violins, crashing cymbals and. More condolence speeches for gough whitlam resumed in the house of representatives on tuesday, october 28 speakers in this video are. I rise to associate the national party in the senate with this motion of condolence for the former prime minister of australia, mr gough whitlam. Edward gough whitlam 11 july 1916 21 october 2014, known gough whitlam, was an australian politician.
The first whitlam ministry was the 47th ministry of the government of australia. Gough whitlam is portrayed by progressives as having made australia a kinder, fairer place. Former prime minister gough whitlam relaunches his book the truth of the matter in 2005. Gough whitlam was able to do that because of his presence and his eloquence but, above all, because of that generosity of vision i spoke about earlier. Nov 05, 2014 in public figure c tags prime minister, australia, state funeral, gough whitlam, noel pearson. Gary gray remembers gough whitlam rn breakfast abc. Gough whitlams dismissal as prime minister april 18, 2017 11. Oct 21, 2014 it was also an early test of whitlams relations with the media, who were puzzled by whitlams reluctance to condemn the bombings publicly. He was not a mean or negative politician in the way, for example, that another great. Many of us have had the experience of having a speech by gough whitlam enhanced by the accompaniment of margaret whitlams gentle heckling from the front rowin later years, augmented by the thump of her walkingstick on the floor if she felt he was going on for too long. Before office gough whitlam australias pms australias. Listen to abc radio report the death at 7pm on sep 10.
Gough whitlam obituary victoria syracuse post standard. Troy bramston, reflecting on whitlams death, his final years and two. For one born estranged from the nations citizenship, into a humble family of a marginal people striving in the teeth of poverty and discrimination, today it. Anthony whitlam, qc, the eldest of mr whitlams children gough, of course, would have loved to speak today but the rules of the game have disqualified him. The first video contains the speeches by senators eric abetz, john faulkner, christine milne, penny wong, nigel scullion, doug cameron, fiona nash, glenn lazarus, marise payne, kim carr. The whitlam government abolished the death penalty for federal crimes. Paul keating said the reward for public life is public progress. A condolence book will be available to the public at the town hall and at parliament house in canberra. Prince charles knew of idea to dismiss whitlam before 1975 crisis. Speakola is a labour of love and id be very grateful if you would share, tweet or like it. I felt sympathy for walters quest to employ a personality theory in. I was born in the eighties so did not experience gough whitlams time first hand. Well may we say god save the queen, because nothing will save the governorgeneral. Gough whitlam 11 july 1916 21 october 2014 australian politician and 21st prime minister of australia 19721975 quotes.
The life of gough whitlam, who was the australian prime minister from 1972 to 1975. The passing of gough whitlam is a time of sadness and loss. His father was a federal public servant who later served as commonwealth crown solicitor, and whitlam seniors involvement in human rights issues was a. Dec 09, 2014 london holds memorial service for trailblazing ex prime minister gough whitlam. Gough whitlam 11 july 1916 21 october 2014 australian politician and 21st prime minister of australia 19721975. Its time to view gough whitlams life as an open book the australian. No other australian politician has ascended into the realms of mythology quite like gough has.
A condolence book will be available to the public at. Whitlam died at a nursing home in sydney on tuesday morning, aged 98. For the first time, gough whitlam, ministers, advisers, public servants. One visitor who signed the condolence book was hugh ford, whose father john was whitlams press secretary for a nine month period before the dismissal. Its time to view gough whitlams life as an open book. Gough whitlam served as the 21st prime minister of australia. Edward gough whitlam 19162014 find a grave memorial. This biographical essay, by jenny hocking and clare land, was adapted from the national archives australias prime ministers website primeministers. This book includes condolences from politicians of all. Gough whitlam simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. His law studies at the university of sydney and newly married life with margaret nee dovey were interrupted by war when he served in the royal australian air force raaf from 1942 to 1945. A conversation with malcolm fraser and gough whitlam about. Upon his death in october 2014 there was a national outpouring of grief and affectionate remembrances across the nation. Often known as the twoman ministry or the duumvirate, it was led by the countrys 21st prime minister, gough whitlam.
London holds memorial service for trailblazing ex prime minister gough whitlam. A statement by opposition leader gough whitlam is shown below, as is the hansard transcript of the house of representatives condolence debate on september 14, 1976. In late 1972, i rejoiced in the title of associate editor of the australian and the sunday telegraph, and labor supporters numbered rupert murdoch among the angels. Keeping gough in line was in fact a lifelong project for margaret. Oct 21, 2014 quotes that made gough whitlam australias most loved, hated and controversial prime minister. Liberal minister christopher pyne, on asking gough whitlam to nominate one of his speeches for a book of great speeches.
The whitlam institute holds materials reflecting whitlams concerns in this area, such as a 1972 press statement and speeches made in 1981 and 1997. He was not a mean or negative politician in the way, for example, that another great labor leader, who also lived to a similar age, jack lang, was. In between writing prolabor editorials, i joined freudenberg in drafting some of. Published on oct 21, 2014 this is the full debate on the condolence motion in the house of representatives following the death of former prime minister gough whitlam on october 21, 2014. Gough whitlams early years were spent in melbourne, sydney and then canberra, where he finished school several times. Oct 21, 2014 published on oct 21, 2014 this is the full debate on the condolence motion in the house of representatives following the death of former prime minister gough whitlam on october 21, 2014. The pope has sent a special message of condolence to the family of gough whitlam, which was read at a memorial mass in.
Thirty years on, gough whitlam and malcolm fraser agreed on just about everything but the dismissal. It was fascinating to discover the origins of some of the current institutions and services. He was the first labor leader to win office from opposition since scullin in 1929 and the first to win successive elections. Whitlam led the australian labor party alp to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by governorgeneral sir john kerr at the climax of the 1975 australian constitutional crisis. The historically significant gesture of pouring of a handful of red soil by gough whitlam into vincent lingiaris hand on 16 august 1975, symbolised the legal transfer of wave hill station back. The dismissal of gough whitlams government by governorgeneral sir john kerr in 1975 remains one of the most divisive events in australian politics. He led the government that brought in universal healthcare, feefree university education and ended military. But an examination of his words and deeds proves the opposite.
Gough whitlam australias pms australias prime ministers. Jan 22, 2020 a new book reveals the drama and comedy of prime minister gough whitlams famous hand back of gurindji land in 1975, following the wave hill walkoff 50 years ago and the bittersweet aftermath. The leader of the labor party from 1967 to 1977, whitlam led his party to power for the first time in 23 years at the 1972 election. He led labor to power for the first time in 23 years at the 1972 election and went on to win the 1974 election before being. Mar 20, 2015 thirty years on, gough whitlam and malcolm fraser agreed on just about everything but the dismissal. Gough whitlam holds the original letter of dismissal at the national archives in. Gary gray remembers gough whitlam rn breakfast abc radio. The pope has sent a special message of condolence to the family of gough whitlam, which was read at a memorial mass in rome to honour the former prime minister. Memoirs paperback december 1, 1997 by edward gough whitlam author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Whitlam s visit to the aboriginal tent embassy for a meeting with indigenous leaders while opposition leader and his subsequent 1972 press statement on land rights were regarded by participants as.
The proclamation which you have just heard read by the governorgenerals official secretary was countersigned malcolm fraser, who will undoubtedly go down in australian. Oct 20, 2014 the life of gough whitlam, who was the australian prime minister from 1972 to 1975. Not just for this life is a salute and tribute to gough whitlam, commemorating what would have been his 100th birthday. State memorial service for former prime minister gough. A new book reveals the drama and comedy of prime minister gough whitlams famous hand back of gurindji land in 1975, following the wave hill walkoff 50. Canberra, australia ap gough whitlam, a flamboyant australian prime minister and controversial social reformer whose grip on power was cut short by a bitter constitutional crisis, died. One visitor who signed the condolence book was hugh ford, whose father john was whitlams press secretary for a nine month period before the. Condolence motion for the former prime minister of. Whitlams humour helped to wound a worthy target like john gorton but aroused sympathy for a smaller target such as billy mcmahon. His labor government, the first after more than two decades, set out to change australia through a wideranging reform program. This book includes condolences from politicians of. A condolence book will be available to the public at the town hall and at parliament. The first whitlam ministry succeeded the mcmahon ministry, which dissolved on 5 december 1972 following the federal election that took place on 2 december which saw labor defeat william mcmahon. Gough whitlam remains our partys longest serving federal parliamentary leader, serving in that position for 10 years and 10 months and leading the party to five elections.
Gough whitlam was an australian labor party politician who became the 21st prime minister of australia from 1972 to 1975 and the leader of the labor party from 1967 to 1977. But the pleasure of reciting his epitaph rested with a colleague, the acerbic new south wales premier neville wran, although in all probability it was penned by the great speechwriter graham freudenberg, who acted as an amanuensis to both men. The christmas bombings, carried out by hundreds of b52s and smaller airforce and navy planes, were of a scale and intensity unprecedented in the vietnam war. Gough whitlam news, research and analysis the conversation. The australian and other murdoch newspapers campaigned for a whitlam victory. Michael gordon reminisced with both of them in this 2005 interview. I had begun writing for whitlam even before joining his staff. The dismissal of gough whitlam s government by governorgeneral sir john kerr in 1975 remains one of the most divisive events in australian politics. Sussan ley, terri butler, kelly odwyer, julie collins, david coleman, laurie ferguson, craig kelly, michael danby, teresa gambaro, catherine king, darren chester, anna burke, dan tehan, ed husic, sharon bird, bernie ripoll, maria vamvakinou, graham perrett. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Nov 05, 2014 anthony whitlam, qc, the eldest of mr whitlam s children gough, of course, would have loved to speak today but the rules of the game have disqualified him. For those of us over 50, the echoes of the great dramas of 197275 still reverberate strongly. Withers gave an interview, the transcript of which was only released after his death, confirming that. Gough whitlam became australias 21st prime minister on 5 december 1972. Condolence speech for gough whitlam senator penny wong. Gough whitlam condolence motion oct 21, 2014 youtube. Gough whitlam biography childhood, life achievements. As a young royal australian air force navigator during world war ii, future prime minister gough whitlam flew hundreds of reconnaissance.
The senate met on monday, october 27, and a motion of condolence for gough whitlam was moved by the leader of the government, senator eric abetz senator john faulkner led the speeches from the opposition. Statement by the leader of the opposition, gough whitlam. Edward gough whitlam ac qc was the 21st prime minister of australia, serving from 1972 to. Whitlams visit to the aboriginal tent embassy for a meeting with indigenous leaders while opposition leader and his subsequent 1972 press statement on land rights were regarded by participants as. The obituary was featured in legacy on october 20, 2014, the west australian on october 21, 2014, the sydney morning herald on october 22, 2014, the age. In participating in this afternoons debate, i also offer my personal condolences to the whitlam family following the passing of edward gough whitlam ac qc, australias 21st prime minister. Condolence motion for the former prime minister of australia. Former prime ministers, gough whitlam check against delivery i rise to support this motion of condolence and to pay tribute to the honourable edward gough whitlam ac, qc. The leader of the labor party from 1967 to 1977, whitlam. Obituary margaret elaine whitlam obituaries australia. Gough whitlam memorial service to be held in sydney. Mourners gather to watch gough whitlams memorial service at old. Edward gough whitlam, ac, qc monday, 27 october 2014 senator payne new south walesminister for human services 12. The election of the his government on 2 december 1972 ended 23 years of conservative rule.
Whitlam was famously ousted by governorgeneral sir john kerr on on 11 november 1975, at the culmination of the australian constitutional crisis an event that remains one of the most controversial events in australian political history. Gough whitlam may have taken great delight in designing his own funeral arrangements or at least a selfmocking fantasy version of them. The obituary was featured in legacy on october 20, 2014, the west australian on october 21, 2014, the sydney. Oct 21, 2014 one visitor who signed the condolence book was hugh ford, whose father john was whitlams press secretary for a nine month period before the dismissal. A state memorial service will be held in sydney for former prime minister gough whitlam on november 5. The death of gough whitlam at age 98 has been announced.
993 1038 922 1145 1044 189 80 546 1235 764 237 46 1123 1034 1327 895 185 1317 131 1168 901 1337 70 406 885 714 1382 525