There are times in history when the fate and future of a nation can be traced back to a single decision; Gough Whitlam becoming Prime Minister was one of those moments. Edward “Gough” Whitlam was the Prime Minister of Australia from the 5th of December 1972 until the 11th of November 1975. He was a new class of Politician. He had a private school education, served time in the military and was from a middle class family. (Davidson Hurst Macyntire 1998 p689) He came on board with a lot of new, exciting
When Australia’s 21st Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, was swept into power in December 1972 there was huge anticipation for dramatic and swift change. Australia had been under the control of a conservative liberal government for 23 consecutive years, and Whitlam’s promises if social change were eagerly anticipated. Whitlam, despite his failings as a negotiator, managed to implement a huge array of reforms and changes, many of which shaped Australia into the country it is today. However is that enough
The Whitlam Government (1972 – 1975) introduced many ideas that impacted on all the people of Australia. There may have been impediments that prevented the Whitlam Government from introducing new ideas, such as the Senate. Nevertheless in three years the Whitlam Government managed to win the hearts of many Australians. In their three year reign the Whitlam Government managed to create Medibank, establish firm relations with People’s Republic of China, establish the Department of Aboriginal Affairs
considered each chapter in turn, and moved that it be accepted, subject to government amendments. The drafting of the constitution started in the new year. A date for independence still had not been set. Feeling frustration over the continual delays, the Whitlam government transferred full sovereign rights over defence and foreign relations to the territory. Two more surprising changes were made by the government: the Queen was adopted as Head of State, to provide post-independence stability and continuity;
liberation, the triumph of the Whitlam government, and the Packers' coming loose of their medium field, Ita Buttrose became a director of an incipient and controversial magazine. Divided from the impressive sentiment of history and sloppiness the smaller than expected arrangement summons, it focussed on Buttrose as a trailblazing social symbol. The early 1970s and 60s were a period for an Australian transformation, both politically and convivially. In 1972, The Whitlam Government takeover, with its
Not only has Australia’s engagement and relationship with its Asian-Pacific neighbours had just only now begun to develop, but it has also now only recently been seen as an important goal to achieve. Multiple stages and events had allowed this change of attitude to take place, these of which allowed both the government as well as its people to at the very least take notice of its neighbouring countries. These important events and stages all aided to give a mindset that differs from the pre World
The Constitution of Australia is a written document, which came into effect when the six colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It consists of eight chapters and 128 sections and lays down a set of laws or restraints by which the Federal Government must operate. It establishes the composition, procedures, functions, and powers of government, government authorities, such as the Governor General and other essential institutions. The Constitution is the basic framework for
Homelessness is all our responsibility. Waking every morning in a warm bed in a secure house for some Australians is only a dream. Every day more and more people are becoming or are at risk of becoming homeless as the global economy crumbles away and monetary resources become harder to find. What is homelessness: the Australian Government Department of Health (2005) defines homelessness as a person who is without a conventional home. Homeless Australians have become disconnected from family and friend
Australias involvement in both the Korean and Vietnam War’s, was because of interest in developing closer ties with China in economic and humanitarian grounds, was influencing the political orientation of the Australian government. The election of the Whitlam Labor government in 1972 saw the emergence of an explicit “recognition of China policy” and although this gov... ... middle of paper ... ...est trading partner, and Australia as China's eleventh largest bilateral trading partner. Australian investment
Immigration Problems of Australia After World War II After World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration program, believing that having narrowly avoided a Japanese invasion, Australia must "populate or perish." Hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans, including for the first time
A member of the Federal Government who has been selected by the Prime Minister. They are in charge of the administration of particular areas within a major department. A shadow minister is a member of the opposition who's job is to closely examine the Government’s work and its ministers. The cabinet are responsible for being the Governments directors in policy making. Policy and legislative proposals are decided by this position. The shadow cabinets are a group of senior opposition spokespeople
The Old Parliament House at Canberra The Old Parliament House (OPH) at Canberra, was the centre of the nation’s political life from 1927 to 1988 when it was functioning. It is where the elected politicians pass laws, or legislation, where members discuss urgent motions or matters of public importance. Members can move motions of censure against the government or against individual ministers. During Question Time Members and Senators address questions to ministers and they can also present
Paul Keating loved politics. By the time he left Parliament in 1996 he had spent over half his life there. He began his parliamentary career at 25, one of the youngest federal politicians ever. Before becoming Prime Minister he had been Treasurer for eight years. Only Arthur Fadden, a former Prime Minister, had been Treasurer longer. Keating's initiatives as Prime Minister included establishment of the Republican Advisory Committee, the passage of indigenous land rights legislation and reform of
middle of paper ... ...mismanagement of the economy. Under Whitlam there was widespread unemployment and inflation and several scandals in his ministry that eventually became his downfall. Gough Whitlam did however introduce major policies that shaped Australia’s development into what it is today. Gough Whitlam made major social, economic and cultural reforms that continue in Australia today such as free university and health care. Gough Whitlam as greatly impacted Australian life; he has made it easier
“It is fitting that Gough Whitlam was Australia’s 21st prime minister. Because with Gough as prime minister, Australia came of age”. - Tanya Plibersek Whitlam. Love him or hate him, it must be appreciated that Whitlam changed Australia. He brought us into the modern era and changed us like no politician had or ever will. This belief is reinforced by politicians, including former Prime Ministers from both sides of politics, demonstrating the impact and legacy Whitlam made. Longest serving Labor
Pearson has crafted one of the most influential political speeches of all time, exploring the political life of Gough Whitlam, a controversial Australian Prime Minister, as his term in office was turbulent and his position never certain, who introduced a number of policy measures and social reforms. Pearson explores this as though his time in government was transitory Whitlam was adamant in establishing a political solution to the problem of disunity within Australia, similar to King Henry and
the Aboriginal Protection Act, the Child Welfare Act, the ‘Freedom Ride’, the 1962 Electoral Act and the 1967 Referendum, the tent ‘Aboriginal Embassy’, the protest at Wave Hill, Frank Hardy’s project to find the ‘real Australia’, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam giving back 300 000 square kilometers of land, the Mabo decision in 1982, the Native Title Act, John Howard’s plan in 1996, and Kevin Rudd’s apology speech. Overall, there has been a long struggle for reconciliation. Indigenous Australians now
The song covers aspects including the appearance of Vestey and Lingiari, the walk off, Lingiari travelling around the country to spread his message, Whitlam giving the land back to the Gurindji people, and also the main message of "from little things big things grow". Aside from learning about what happened in 1966, a historian can also learn that songs were a good way to connect to people. Songs are
Prime Minister Harold Holt, a Liberal. The ALP suffered a huge loss in a large part of the country due to Arthur Calwell’s, the leader of the party at the time, anti-war views and ideologies. Following the election, Calwell was replaced by Gough Whitlam. Whitlam directed an attack on the party’s anti-war policy. The party opposed the war because of their views against Conscription, or Mandatory Military Service. They also opposed banning of the Communist Party of Australia. Other parties who opposed
The Australian Labor Party is a centre-left wing political party which was formed to represent the rights and interests of the industrial working population. The Australian Labor Party is the oldest political party in Australian history with its history tracing back to 1890. The Australian Labor Party emerged from the Australian labour movement which aimed to improve working conditions and raise wages for industrial workers (McKinlay, 1979). In 1890 workers were paid low wages while working in poor