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How Whitlam changed Australia for the better

Gough Whitlam's speech when handing over land to the

Gough Whitlam's speech when handing over land to the

Gough Whitlam was a towering political figure, literally and figuratively, and the mark he left on Australia is still felt to this day.

His years in power were highlighted by radical change, sweeping reforms that were instrumental in bringing Australia into the modern age.

From education, healthcare, the economy, social reforms, to more practical goals like connecting more households to a national sewerage network, there was no sphere in which his government wasn’t massively influential.

Former PM Gough Whitlam dies, aged 98 
Gough Whitlam’s life and career in pictures

Although by no means definitive, this list gives an idea as to the nature and scope of Gough Whitlam’s achievements, made all the more incredible given the three-year time frame in which they were achieved.

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Giant: Gough Whitlam. Photo: AAP

Creation of Medicare

The Whitlam government was responsible for the creation of Medicare, then know as Medibank, Australia’s national health insurance scheme. At the time, the move was met with fierce resistance from the medical profession. The bills enabling the system also had difficult passage through the senate. It took a double dissolution election and a joint sitting of Parliament to pass the health care reform. Negotiations with state governments also proved tricky, but Medibank finally came into effect on October 1, 1975. The Fraser government scaled back elements of Medibank following the dismissal of the Whitlam Government, but it was largely restored as Medicare under Bob Hawke.

Abolition of university tuition fees

The Whitlam government scrapped tuition fees at universities and technical collleges. Previously, the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme allowed a fixed number of students to attend university for free. The government also created the Student Assistance Act to give financial assistance to students who needed it. Both these measures made higher education accessible to more Australians than ever before.

Establishment of diplomatic relations with China

Following a visit to China while Opposition Leader in 1971, Whitlam established diplomatic relations with the country just three weeks into his first term. This was a radical shift in Australia’s position up to that point, with China viewed through a lens of communist paranoia. Whitlam’s move to break through this barrier paved the way for the economic and cultural ties enjoyed to this day. China is now our largest trading partner. 

Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is a word that most Australians are familiar with – yet it was Whitlam who introduced it as government policy, encouraging the celebration of our differences. Things like translation services for migrants and multicultural radio services became cornerstones of migrant life.  He also abolished the White Australia Policy once and for all. Many elements of the policy were gone by the time Whitlam came to power, but some remained – privileges and advantages that white, British migrants received that others didn’t. Whitlam ensured these were scrapped, and made sure the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme – which provided financial help to immigrants – was available to all regardless of their race.

The Whitlam government also passed the Racial Discrimination Act. It made it illegal to discriminate against people because of their origin in the the areas of access to employment, pay and working conditions, and access to housing.

Improved Indigenous relations

Whitlam outlawed discrimination against indigenous people, and when the Queensland government failed to change its laws, the Whitlam Government created laws that would override them. He also returned land to the Gurindji people in the Northern Territory, ending a nine-year battle with Vestey’s, the business occupying their land. The Whitlam Government bought the lands on behalf of the Gurindji people and on August 16th 1975 officially handed them back, with the prime minister pouring sand into the hands of protest leader Vincent Lingiari.

Gough Whitlam's speech when handing over land to the

Gough Whitlam’s speech when handing over land to the Gurindji people. Photo: Whitlam.org

Abolished capital punishment

The Whitlam Government enacted the Death Penalty Abolition Act in 1973, preventing executions being used as punishment for those convicted of federal crimes.

“Capital punishment is just as barbaric and inexcusable in the hands of States as it is in the hands of individuals,” Whitlam said.

Ended conscription and freed draft resisters

Australia had conscripted young men to serve in the Vietnam War by their birthdays, chosen randomly by ballot. Failure to present when called upon would lead to a jail term. The Whitlam’s Government’s first act was to free all draft resisters from prison, and conscription was subsequently abolished. Read more about the first revolutionary days of the Whitlam Government here.

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