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Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam dies at 98 | Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam dies at 98 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has died at the age of 98. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | Mr Whitlam's reforms included introducing free university education, abolishing the death penalty and allowing non-white immigrants into Australia. |
'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". | 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". |
"He united the Australian Labor Party, won two elections and seemed, in so many ways, larger than life," Mr Abbott added. | "He united the Australian Labor Party, won two elections and seemed, in so many ways, larger than life," Mr Abbott added. |
By Wendy Frew, Australia editor, BBC Online | |
It is difficult to overestimate the influence of Gough Whitlam on the Australian political and civic landscape. | |
A giant both physically and politically, his vision for a modern Australia was loved and loathed in almost equal measure. He spent less than three years in office but much of the legacy of his government's reforms remains today. | |
His achievements range from those on the international stage - he was one of the early few to openly advocate for Australian and international recognition of communist China - to the more pedestrian such as connecting all houses in Australia's capital cities to sewerage. | |
Along the way, his government managed to shake-up conservative, white Australia by reforming family law, moving to equal pay for women and starting what would turn out to be a very long process of entrenching in law Aboriginal land rights. | |
He tackled the nation's cultural cringe too by introducing Australia's own honours system and introducing free access to universities, which saw a wave of people become the first in their families to receive higher education. | |
Opposition leader Bill Shorten echoed Mr Abbott's comments, saying: "I think it is fair to say, regardless of one's politics, the nation has lost a legend." | Opposition leader Bill Shorten echoed Mr Abbott's comments, saying: "I think it is fair to say, regardless of one's politics, the nation has lost a legend." |
"Gough Whitlam redefined our country and in doing so he changed the lives of a generation," Mr Shorten added. | "Gough Whitlam redefined our country and in doing so he changed the lives of a generation," Mr Shorten added. |
He led Labor to its historic victory in December 1972 on the back of the famous "It's Time" campaign to move on from a post-war period of social conservatism. | He led Labor to its historic victory in December 1972 on the back of the famous "It's Time" campaign to move on from a post-war period of social conservatism. |
His dismissal was prompted by a refusal by parliament's upper house, where Labor did not hold a majority, to pass a budget bill. | His dismissal was prompted by a refusal by parliament's upper house, where Labor did not hold a majority, to pass a budget bill. |
To end the crisis, Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Mr Whitlam and installed opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as the caretaker prime minister. | To end the crisis, Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Mr Whitlam and installed opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as the caretaker prime minister. |
He remains the country's only prime minister to have been sacked. | He remains the country's only prime minister to have been sacked. |
After leaving politics, he served as a Unesco ambassador, academic and after-dinner speaker and regularly appeared at Labor Party functions. | After leaving politics, he served as a Unesco ambassador, academic and after-dinner speaker and regularly appeared at Labor Party functions. |
He had four children with his wife, Margaret, during a marriage that lasted 70 years until her death in 2012 at the age of 92. | He had four children with his wife, Margaret, during a marriage that lasted 70 years until her death in 2012 at the age of 92. |
His family said there would be a private cremation and a public memorial service. | His family said there would be a private cremation and a public memorial service. |