Who was Gough Whitlam?
Gough Whitlam was the Labor Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975. His government introduced major reforms, including Medibank, free university education and the end of conscription, before being dismissed by the Governor-General in 1975.
Whitlam was born in Melbourne in 1916 and grew up in Canberra. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II and later became a barrister.
He became leader of the Labor Party in 1967 and won the 1972 election with the slogan It's Time, ending 23 years of Coalition government.
A reforming government
Whitlam's government moved quickly. It ended conscription, withdrew remaining troops from Vietnam, recognized the People's Republic of China, abolished university fees and introduced universal health insurance through Medibank.
It also passed the Racial Discrimination Act, introduced no-fault divorce and supported Aboriginal land rights. In 1975, Whitlam poured soil into the hand of Gurindji elder Vincent Lingiari, symbolizing the return of land.
On 11 November 1975, Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Whitlam's government after the Senate blocked supply. Whitlam lost the following election but remained an influential figure until his death in 2014.