How Did Gough Whitlam Change Australia

Good morning/afternoon Mrs Jansen, Mr Cralwey and class. Prime Minister and human rights advocate, Gough Whitlam, led government into labour during his term from December 5 1972 until his dismissal on December 11 1975. He went on to change Australia through a wide-ranging reform program. He especially influenced society alongside his endless supply of boldness and tenacity, not to mention his aspiration to lead the nation into good hands. Introducing indigenous rights and abolishing discrimination was one of the many legislations Whitlam put forward. Likewise, implementing a number of women’s social and educational issues significantly fluctuated the lives of women at the time. Despite the theories as to why Whitlam was dismissed, those who

Whitlam taught Australians and non-indigenous Australians they could achieve a measure of equality of opportunity in education, health care and careers. A 1972 photograph illustrates Gough Whitlam being kissed on the hand by a member of society at the opening of the federal election campaign in western Sydney (Appendix three). The appreciation shown towards Whitlam emphasises the praise he received from his decisions and implementations due to the diligence he portrayed through his work. Children’s author, Robert Darlington supports his likeable mannerism as he states, “His election speeches fired up crowds, who wanted change” (2004, p.244). Appendix three and Darlington accentuate Whitlam’s popularity through what he strived to accomplish as a prime minister. Prior to the legislation of the Immigration policy, the current white Australian policy was perceived as being anti-Asian, which had the possibility of significantly harming Australia’s trade with Asian countries. By the 1960s, the policy was gradually becoming extinct with the admittance of certain skilled immigrants and accompanying people from Asia – often those who had been trained

Half a million female workers became eligible for full pay and an overall rise in women’s wages of around 30% resulted from this case. A 1969 photograph depicts women advocating for equal pay as they are shown with posters that read ‘Unequal pay is sex discrimination’ (Appendix Two). Whitlam’s courage to emit women’s rights suggests the courageous leader Whitlam was to do so. From May 2 1974, commission extended the adult minimum wage to include women workers for the first time and by 1975 Whitlam distributed $3 million of funding to events and projects – targeting victims of domestic violence as well as cultural projects such as a women’s film festival, literature and performances highlighting the contributions of creative Australian women. Whitlam’s kind gestures are evident by research professor, Jenny Hocking, as she praises, “His victory was the most marked, most closely identified with the ideas and determination of Whitlam himself” (2012, p.11). Whitlam’s ability to achieve such fluctuation is corroborated by the Administrative Services Minister at the time, Fred Daly, who stated in a proud-like tone, “What a change from our predecessors…we had it” (in McDermott, 2011, p.364). It is clear that the diligence Whitlam incorporated in his work led him to grant Australia a promising nation. The