Gough Whitlam

Australian politician, 21st Prime Minister of Australia (1916-2014) · Australia · Politicians · Died at 98

Gough Whitlam is read about 445 times a day, in 58 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026

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He reformed Australia in three years - universal healthcare, free university, the end of conscription and Vietnam - then became the only prime minister in the country's history to be fired by the Queen's representative mid-term.

Politicians Politician Politics Law Australia Oceania 20th Century

A life in dates

2014Died21 October 2014“Let me make quite clear that I am for abortion and, in your case sir, we should make it retrospective.”In their words21 October 2014The Guardian, 21 October 2014Read the whole statement

2001“I was profoundly embarrassed by it and did all I could to change it.”In their wordsQuoted in Paul Kelly, 100 Years - The Australian Story (Allen & Unwin, 2001), p. 196Read the whole statement

2000“The Country Party never forgave him for saying that their members sat on the fence with both ears to the ground.”In their words24 May 2000From a speech during a debate on the question That Politicians Have Lost Their Sense Of Humour, Sydney Town Hall (24 May 2000)Read the whole statement

1997“If I begin my book with a review of the coup, it is only to show that my abiding interests for Australia did not end with it. They shall end only with a long and fortunate life.”In their wordsAbiding Interests (1997), ForewordRead the whole statement

1989“The punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race.”In their words19 October 1989(19 October 1989)Read the whole statement

1978Companion of the Order of AustraliaAward1972“A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.”In their wordsSelf-quoted in The Whitlam Government 1972-1975 (1985)Read the whole statement

1916Born11 July 1916

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Gough Whitlam - ACF - crop

Curtin Building 211 plaque Whitlam 1994

Ellicot Resigns and says he is the Victim

Gough Whitlam at the Lodge 1974

Gough Whitlam bust

Gough Whitlam memorial service at welcome to country

Gough Whitlam Place Cabramatta July 2017

James DeWeaver and Gough Whitlam

In their own words 8

Gough Whitlam

8 statements, newest first

Let me make quite clear that I am for abortion and, in your case sir, we should make it retrospective.
Oct 21, 2014, The Guardian, 21 October 2014, Own words
I was profoundly embarrassed by it and did all I could to change it.
2001, Quoted in Paul Kelly, 100 Years - The Australian Story (Allen & Unwin, 2001), p. 196, Own words
The Country Party never forgave him for saying that their members sat on the fence with both ears to the ground.
May 24, 2000, From a speech during a debate on the question That Politicians Have Lost Their Sense Of Humour, Sydney Town Hall (24 May 2000), Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

Companion of the Order of Australia1978

Centenary Medal

Honorary Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu

Australian National Living Treasure

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

Family

Parents

Gough Whitlam

Partners

Spouse Margaret Whitlam

Children

Sibling Freda Whitlam

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About this person

Edward Gough Whitlam flew as an air navigator in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, then worked as a barrister before entering parliament in 1952 for the division of Werriwa. He rose to deputy leader of the Labor Party in 1960 and took the top job in 1967 after Arthur Calwell retired, narrowly losing to John Gorton in 1969 before finally winning in 1972 and ending 23 years of Coalition rule. His government moved fast: it terminated conscription, pulled Australia out of Vietnam, instituted universal health care and free university education, and launched legal aid programs, all while battling an opposition-controlled Senate that delayed bills at every turn. A snap double dissolution election in May 1974 gave him a reduced House majority and equal Senate numbers, allowing the first and only joint sitting under section 57 of the constitution, but his second term sank under the 1973 oil crisis, global recession, and the Loans affair scandal that cost him two ministers. In late 1975 the opposition refused to pass his budget bills, and in mid-November governor-general Sir John Kerr dismissed him and installed Malcolm Fraser as caretaker; Labor was cru

Country

Australia

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