A great man passes

[Tim Sheens]

RIP Gough Whitlam

Even for for those of a conservative political persuasion, nobody can deny that in a few short years, this man almost singlehanded, brought this country out of the past and formed the basis of our society for ensuing decades. An Australia for all Australians, not just the rich and/or elite white male.

Despite some forty years passing since he was in Government, the main fabric of the massive changes he orchestrated still forms the structure of the society in which we live.

 

[TJL]

Worst Prime Minister ever.

 

[wtigers]

Worst Prime Minister ever.

What a nice and positive thing to say in light of passing. Really deep and thoughtful. A+ for effort.

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[Tigermama]

One of the better polititians we've had in this country. A strong and fair leader. Also a dedicated family man. Lived to a ripe old age too. RIP Gough.

 

[Geo]

RIP Gough

A great man and a very fair polly…pot in place a lot of social policy we take for granted today...A true Liberal in a Labor Govt.... go figure

Fair innings too

 

[happy_tiger]

Best Labour PM in the history of Australian politics

Helped make massive steps forward in education and health in Australia

Wish he was back now ,far better than either two leaders we have on either side of Federal Politics

RIP Gough they certainly broke the mould after you were born

 

[innsaneink]

RIP Gough Whitlam

Even for for those of a conservative political persuasion, nobody can deny that in a few short years, this man almost singlehanded, brought this country out of the past and formed the basis of our society for ensuing decades. An Australia for all Australians, not just the rich and/or elite white male.

Despite some forty years passing since he was in Government, the main fabric of the massive changes he orchestrated still forms the structure of the society in which we live.

Well said FG
Gough did a lot of very good things.
I remember the graffitti on the train line near our place when I was 10
"Bill's a dill….vote for Gough"

 

[Flippedy]

RIP Gough Whitlam

Even for for those of a conservative political persuasion, nobody can deny that in a few short years, this man almost singlehanded, brought this country out of the past and formed the basis of our society for ensuing decades. An Australia for all Australians, not just the rich and/or elite white male.

Despite some forty years passing since he was in Government, the main fabric of the massive changes he orchestrated still forms the structure of the society in which we live.

Couldn't have put it any better, FG. He was a great man and a great PM - his dismissal was a national disgrace.

 

[Majere77]

Dying does not forgive you of your sins, of which Gough had more than most.

Condolences to the family for losing the man, but an absolutely AWFUL arrogant and inept Prime minister.

 

[guyofthetiger]

RIP Gough
You created a genuine social democracy.
You also proved there is a wealthy elite who want to limit that in this country, via dirty politics, cheap and nasty media, and the dumbing down of politics generally.
You were one of the last statesmen this country may ever again see, judging by the poll driven drivel we have to suffer now.
You prioritised humanistic, values driven policy over fiscal policy, even if you did go a little over the top.
But it had to happen.
I for one will be forever grateful that it did.

 

[Majere77]

RIP Gough
You prioritised humanistic, values driven policy over fiscal policy, even if you did go a little over the top.

What an absolute load of Crap. It's called gross and utter financial incompetence. Never saw an outstretched hand he didn't stuff money into.
It's the kind of thing that should get you fired from your job….. wait.......

Even Saddam's dirty oil money couldn't buy him out of that.

 

[wtigers]

RIP Gough
You prioritised humanistic, values driven policy over fiscal policy, even if you did go a little over the top.

What an absolute load of Crap. It's called gross and utter financial incompetence. Never saw an outstretched hand he didn't stuff money into.
It's the kind of thing that should get you fired from your job….. wait.......

Even Saddam's dirty oil money couldn't buy him out of that.

Like seriously this is a thread dedicated to a man beloved by many in the wake of his death. If you didn't like him fine but please don't shove things down people's throats. Not like this not now. If you're angry go somewhere else.

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[Tigger8]

Keep it in the Politics Super Thread guys.

RIP Gough.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Worst Prime Minister ever.

I hope you remember that next time you're making a claim at Medicare.

 

[Tigertigertiger]

Yes the pass in 05 was great

 

[underdog]

Set up the cornerstone of Australian "Fair go for everybody values" during a time when other countries were still being divisive and hateful with their own people.

On a personal note, If it wasn't for him, my parents would not have had the opportunities they had in terms of accessing education, and in turn would not have been able to set myself and my family up to be in a likewise situation

- To use a well worn Rugby League cliche - Gough created a platform for many Australians to work off.

I can only imagine with the differences he made to my family directly, multiplying that by thousands upon thousands of Australians in similar positions at the same time, how much on an ongoing legacy and difference he made to our country that would be still echoing today.

They won't be saying that about either of our current governments in 40 years - that I can guarantee.

RIP Gough. Larger than life - and Legacy that continues in our society today.

 

[Blackpearl]

A great man and great Australian.
below is an excerpt from the whitlams institutes director

The passing of the Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC
Message from the Director

While Gough Whitlam will be remembered well beyond today, the days ahead will be particularly special times for remembering and for sharing stories. They will be times of reflection on the man Gough Whitlam. The Leader. The intellectual. The visionary.

As one former Whitlam minister put it to me this morning after news of Gough's death, 'the memories are crashing over me like the waves on Bondi Beach.'

Gough Whitlam will be remembered in many ways, but after this time of personal memories and recollections, Gough Whitlam will be remembered as the reforming leader who willed a modern Australia into being. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of our daily lives.

His achievements are not simply a matter for history - they are embedded in the living memory of our nation. Gough Whitlam catapulted Australia into the modern world. He claimed a place for us in the region and in international affairs. He educated a generation: funding schools on the basis of their need and opening our universities to all on the basis of their merit. He established universal health care and for the first time, committed the national government to developing the outer suburbs of our cities as well as regional Australia. He sought to right the wrongs of Aboriginal dispossession and he sought a place for all in this land we share. He transformed our country and the way we saw ourselves. Just as he set out to, he 'uplifted the horizons of the Australian people'.

For all the fine words that could be written, for us all here at the Whitlam Institute on this day there is really only the simple reality that Gough is now gone. We had no greater enthusiast and no finer friend than The Leader himself at this institute that bears his name.

Our thoughts are very much with the members of the Whitlam family.

Eric Sidoti,
Director
Whitlam Institute

 

[simonthetiger]

Nice piece and I wholeheartedly agree with it.

 

[NT_Tiger]

If you haven't seen it and you're interested, Here's a link to Noel Pearsons eulogy for Gough Whitlam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsXmYHiuJ8s