Australian Politics: The Life of Gough Whitlam

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"Gough Whitlam has been a towering figure in the Australian Labor Party for longer than I can remember. For more than six decades in politics, Gough Whitlam has aimed at targets higher than personal success or vindication. His energy and enthusiasm combined with the continuing powerful relevance of his goals have made him a hero to many Australians & an iconic figure in Australia's political landscape.” (Excerpt of speech by Senator John Faulkner at Gough Whitlam’s 92nd Birthday, 2008) (Source 3)
Gough Whitlam was certainly an iconic and defining man during the 1960’s and 70’s. He had an overwhelming influential appearance, and his this was often associated as a key feature (Source 2). His figure was definitely striking to many Australians, including Vincent Lingiarri. Lingiarri was an Indigenous land rights activist who successfully laid claim to his traditional land, Gurindji. An eight year long strike from the Gurindji caught the eye of the Whitlam Government, and in 1976 the Aboriginal Land Rights Act was introduced. This act gave Indigenous Australians the...

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