webfact Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam dies at 98(BBC) Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has died at the age of 98.He was credited with transforming Australian society in the 1970s after 23 years of conservative government, introducing many far-reaching reforms.But his government was plagued by resignations and the governor-general dismissed it in November 1975 after just three years.In a statement, his family said he was an "inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians".Prime Minister Tony Abbott described Mr Whitlam as a "giant of his time" and said flags across Australia would fly at half-mast on Tuesday.Mr Whitlam's reforms included introducing free university education, abolishing the death penalty and allowing non-white immigrants into Australia.'The nation has lost a legend'He was also the first Australian leader to visit China, establishing diplomatic relations with what is now Australia's largest trading partner. Mr Abbott said this was "an enduring legacy".Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-29694093 -- BBC 2014-10-21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chooka Posted October 21, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2014 A true statesman who wouldn't bow to the U.S. later admired by his political rivals. The last Australian P.M to be removed by the British. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Difficult first name to pronounce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phuket Stan Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) Difficult first name to pronounce. So u r one real lucky dude never to have had a "COUGH" Edited October 21, 2014 by Phuket Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Oziex1 Posted October 21, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2014 He gave us the things we expect in a free and wealthy country. Free university, free healthcare, where did they go? RIP Gough, we may never see such a courageous politician again. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaimlord Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 RIP Gough It's a bit of long read below, but I always recall his hugely witty "country member" quip http://whitlamdismissal.com/2000/05/24/whitlam-sense-of-humour-debate.html TL 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamahele Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A true statesman who wouldn't bow to the U.S. later admired by his political rivals. The last Australian P.M to be removed by the British. Australian leaders don't tend to bow to the USA. If the government is like minded as the conservatives before him, they follow a similar path. If the government is no like minded, they don't follow the same path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JimHuaHin Posted October 21, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2014 A very sad day for most Australians. A true statesman and an inspirational leader. He lead Australia out of the dark ages, and laid the foundations for 21C Australia. Sadly missed. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loongdavid Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A true statesman who wouldn't bow to the U.S. later admired by his political rivals. The last Australian P.M to be removed by the British. History shows that John Kerr was his own man and QEII was not consulted as to his intention to dismiss Whitlam. Kerr was Sydney born and bred and was a Labor man to his boot straps - that's what rankled Labor, and apparently still does. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tep Posted October 21, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2014 Whitlam's government opened the door for real and fundamental change in Australian society. An evolution that continues to this day but founded in the legislative program of his government. I was too young during that time to be political and just watched events as they unfolded but I had the good fortune to work with one of his economic team later in life here in Thailand and hear many stories of those heady days. The only thing I can remember about his successor, the guy who pushed Kerr to commit his evil deed, was that he locked himself out of a hotel room in America without his trousers. I vaguely remember the turmoil and the noise although I might be thinking of the TV movie done a few years ago. I do remember the campaign song - "It's time". Very 70's. Whitlam was a giant. In politics and in real life. At least he seemed gigantic when I met him at my University when he visited after being appointed to UNESCO. He seemed huge and I am quite tall myself. What a presence. What a life. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) Well I guess "It's Time" Many of the changes he brought have taken 40 years to destroy and still vestiges remain. A healthy better educated society, but for how long more Edited October 21, 2014 by harrry 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingalfred Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) A giant of a man . Who achieved more for ordinary Australians in 3 years than those who came before or followed. Now being undone by the current Coalition. Edited October 21, 2014 by kingalfred 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samran Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Vale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieKaen Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A giant of a man . Who achieved more for ordinary Australians in 3 years than those who came before or followed. Now being undone by the current Coalition. Do you know who re-introduced tertiary education fees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lawrence Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A great man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydeco Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Never heard of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingalfred Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 A giant of a man . Who achieved more for ordinary Australians in 3 years than those who came before or followed. Now being undone by the current Coalition. Do you know who re-introduced tertiary education fees? you dont know who wants to undo much of what was introduced 40 years ago? The Australian public are finding out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lawrence Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 They had a service today for Gough. They booed Tony outside and in the church. Although a little disrespectful, I don't think Gough would have mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitawatWatawit Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 In the early 80s, I had the occasion of sitting down and having a chat with Gough for about an hour. It was mainly social chit-chat, but Gough being Gough, he couldn't help himself and started telling stories - what a raconteur. It was interesting in later years that he started to mellow towards Frazer, the man he called Kerr's cur. That was the time when both men were prominent on the world stage in non-political roles. I guess that's the mark of the man. Rest in peace, Gough. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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