Former Prime Minister (of Australia) Gough Whitlam has died, aged 98

The Australian ^ | 21st October 2014

[naturalman1975]

FORMER prime minister Gough Whitlam, who died this morning aged 98, has been hailed as a “generous father” and a “source of inspiration” for millions.

[naturalman1975]

Whitlam was, probably, Australia's most socialist Prime Minister. He was removed from office - sacked - along with his entire government by the Governor-General on November 11th, 1975, after he failed to suggest any constitutional solution to a budget crisis precipitated by illegal attempts by his finance minister to obtain a large loan from the middle east to pay for his government's reforms. This made him a martyr and virtual messiah figure to the Australian left.

He also served this country as a Royal Australian Air Force officer (bomber navigator) during the Second World War - that, at least, is worthy of respect.

He will be treated with the dignity of a former Prime Minister, and that's not inappropriate - but his place in history is destined to be controversial and not what his supporters would want.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

I hear Barak Obama told an aid to send a message of condolence to the family. Obama insisted the message be translated into Australian before sending it.

[SeekAndFind]

The man tried to rule Australia by being both executive and legislator. I believe he meant well, but a man’s got to know his limitations. The economy was the pits under his administration.

He was removed by the governor general and when he eventually tried to come back, was DEFEATED in the ensuing elections.

[Does so]

How does one pronounce "Gough"?

"Jeff"?

[SevenofNine]

Is that same PM that got so called sack from the Queen

[FewsOrange]

Goff

[RichInOC]

As in “I’m not taking any guff from you.”

Or, if you’re familiar with Eighties rock music, as in the Midnight Oil song “Power and the Passion”: “Gough was tough ‘til he hit the rough/Hey, Uncle Sam and John were quite enough.”

[naturalman1975]

From the Queen’s representative, rather than the Queen herself, but yes.

[SevenofNine]

So in other word one of Queen own people gave the guy the sack OKAY LOL!

[BlackVeil]

He will be treated with the dignity of a former Prime Minister, and that's not inappropriate - but his place in history is destined to be controversial and not what his supporters would want.

Very true, and very well stated.

I think a lot of us feel a sort of nostalgia for the 1970s - now - and forget the real difficulties and irresponsibilities of the time. Whitlam was genuinely part of a rise in cultural activity and renewal in Australia, but as you point out, the historical assessment of him will tend to cut him down to size. One massive error of judgement after another.