People Power and Post War PoliticsPrime Ministers – Gough Whitlam
Gough WhitlamPoliciesLeadershipMajor Issues
Backgroundhttp://primeministers.naa.gov.au/meetpm.asp?pmId=21&pageName=before
Electionshttp://primeministers.naa.gov.au/meetpm.asp?pmId=21&pageName=elections
In Officehttp://primeministers.naa.gov.au/meetpm.asp?pmId=21&pageName=inoffice
Edward Gough WHITLAMBorn: 11 July 1916, Kew, VictoriaEducation: Telopea Park High School and Canberra Grammar School; University of Sydney (1946)Employment: RAAF navigator; barristerMemberships: Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues and World Heritage Committee; World Conservation Union (IUCN); University of Sydney Senate; Academy of Athens; Hanoi Architectural Heritage FoundationMarriage: 22 April 1942, Vaucluse, SydneyChildren: Anthony (1944); Nicholas (1945); Stephen (1950); Catherine (1954)Honours: Queen’s Counsel (1962); Socialist International Plate of Honour (1976); Companion of the Order of Australia (1978)
EDWARD GOUGH WHITLAM
Term as PM: 5 December 1972 – 11 November 1975Terms as MP: House of Representatives: 17 February 1953 – 31 July 1978 (Werriwa); Deputy Leader of the Opposition (March 1960 – February 1967); Leader of the Opposition (February 1967 – December 1972; November 1975 – December 1977)Portfolios: Thirteen portfolios: 5–19 December 1972 Foreign Affairs: December 1972 – November 1973 Environment: July 1975 Memberships: Australian Labor Party (NSW branch, 1945–; federal parliamentary Labor Party leader, February 1967 – December 1977); Socialist International; UNESCO Executive BoardAfter: Australian Ambassador to UNESCO (1983–86); Chair, National Gallery of Australia Council (1987–90); Chair, Australia–China Council (1986–91
POLITICAL CAREER
Why did Labor win?
• Liberal PM – William McMahon• 23 years of Liberal Government• Unpopularity during the
Vietnam era• Australians wanted a change
It's Time It’s time for freedom,It’s time for moving, It’s time to begin,Yes It’s time It’s time Australia,It’s time for moving, It’s time for proving,Yes It’s time It’s time for all folk,It’s time for moving, It’s time to give,Yes It’s time It’s time for children,It’s time to show them, Time to look ahead,Yes It’s time Time for freedom,Time for moving, Time to be clear,Yes It’s time Time Australia,Time for moving, It’s time for proving,Yes It’s time Time for better,Come together, It’s time to move,Yes It’s time Time to stand up,Time to shout it, Time, Time, Time,Yes It’s time Time to move on,Time to stand up, time to say ‘yes’,Yes It’s time
IT’S TIME CAMPAIGN 1972
What are the main points in this source? How do these connect with the reasons that may have led people to vote for the Labor Party in 1972?
Source Study: Photographs
Why do you think Gough Whitlam is dressed this way?What is the general impression of Whitlam gained from
this source?
Source Study: POLICY SPEECHGough Whitlam’s Policy Speech at Blacktown Civic Centre
What do you think are the issues that would have led to many people voting for Labor in 1972? Explain why.
House of Representatives Elections 1972ALP LIB CP IND Total
NSW 28 10 7 - 45
VIC 14 14 6 - 34
QLD 8 6 4 - 18
WA 4 3 2 - 9SA 7 5 - - 12TAS 5 - - - 5
ACT 1 - - - 1NT - - 1 - 1
Total 67 38 20 - 125
Senate Election Results 1970ALP LIB CP DLP IND Total
NSW 28 10 7 - - 10
VIC 14 14 6 - - 10
QLD 8 6 4 - - 10WA 4 3 2 - - 10SA 7 5 - - - 10TAS 5 - - - - 10
Total 26 21 5 5 3 60
Source Study: 1972 ELECTION RESULTS
• What was the margin by which the ALP party won the election? Remember to consider that they needed to beat the Coalition!•Why are the results for the 1970 Senate shown and not 1972? (Trick question)•Who held the majority in the Senate? What would this mean for passing legislation for Whitlam’s policies?
Source Study: Political Cartoons
What is the cartoonist Bruce Petty saying?
5/12/72 – 19/12/72Gough Whitlam - Prime
Minister 13 portfolios
• Minister for Foreign Affairs • Treasurer • Attorney-General • Minister for Customs and Excise • Minister for Trade and Industry • Minister for Shipping and
Transport • Minister for Education and
Science • Minister for Civil Aviation • Minister for Housing • Minister for Works • Minister for External Territories • Minister for the Environment,
Aborigines and the Arts
• 40 major policy changes started as part of reform program
Lance Barnard - Deputy Prime Minister - 14 portfolios
•Minister for Defence •Minister for Supply •Minister for the Army •Minister for the Navy •Minister for Air •Postmaster-General •Minister for Labour and National Service •Minister for Social Services •Minister for Immigration •Minister for the Interior •Minister for Primary Industry •Minister for Repatriation •Minister for Health •Minister for National Development
What does this suggest about Whitlam’s leadership style?How do you think Australians would have viewed him in light of this?
only Prime Minister to grow up in the national capital
dubbed ‘the young brolga’ when he entered parliament, for his height (194cm) and imperious bearing
one of only two Prime Ministers whose lifetime spanned the lives of all 25 Prime Ministers in Australia’s first century (John Gorton was the other)
was on active service in World War II as a RAAF navigator, despite suffering badly from airsickness
only Prime Minister dismissed from office the Whitlam Institute was developed within
the University of Western Sydney in 2000
GOUGH TRIVIA