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= Welcome to Gough PM = This site is designed to help you understand a little about Prime Minister Gough Whitlam (1972-1975). The year 10 History syllabus says that you must be able to:
 * ** Assess the contribution of one Australian Prime Minister to Australia’s post-war development. (This would most likely be a 15 mark question . ) **
 * ** Outline and explain a major policy or issue of the term of office of one Australian Prime Minister. (This would most likely be a 5 mark question.)**

= Background = In 1972 the Australian Labor Party had been out of government for 23 years! Gough Whitlam became leader when Arthur Calwell retired. Whitlam led a party which finally looked as if it might be able to defeat the government. The Liberal/Country Party coalition government was led by Prime Minister William McMahon. But Mcmahon's government was increasingly seen to be divided and old-fashioned. There were new ideas appearing in Australia as the "Baby Boomers" began to get old enough to vote. The Vietnam War was unpopular, Women's Liberation was a growing force. Aboriginal rights was in the news.

= The 1972 Election = For the election of 1972 the Labor Party came up with a slogan, "It's Time". It was short for, "It's time for a change". Whitlam's campaign team introduced American style presidential electioneering techniques into Australian politics. Watch the 1972 TV advertisement. The people singing are media personalities. This type of election advertising was new. There were "It's Time" badges and T-shirts. It was all very different. Read the words of the //It's Time// song before you go to the link.

=__ **It's Time** __=

Yes It’s time
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= Assessing Whitlam = ==== Although the new Labor government had a comfortable working majority in the House of Representatives it faced a hostile Senate, making it impossible for Labor to pass legislation without the support of at least one of the other parties—Liberal, Country, or DLP. In fact some legislation was not passed until new elections, and a joint sitting of parliament (in 1974), made it possible. ====

The cartoon shows Whitlam hard at work and ex-P.M. William McMahon in the OUT tray.
After 23 years of continuous conservative rule, the bureaucracy was unhelpful, and some conservative state governments were opposed to reform. Nevertheless, Whitlam embarked on a massive program. In the space of a little less than three years, the Whitlam Government : · established formal diplomatic and trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China; · took responsibility for tertiary education over from the states and abolished tertiary fees; · cut tariffs across the board by 25% and abolished the Tariff Board; · established the Schools Commission to distribute Federal funds to assist non-government schools on a needs basis; · abolished the death penalty for Federal crimes; · reduced the voting age to 18 years; · introduced language programs for non-English speaking Australians; · mandated equal opportunities for women in Federal Government employment; · appointed women to judicial and administrative positions; · abolished conscription · set up the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee; · amalgamated the five separate Defence departments; · instituted direct federal grants to local governments · established the Order of Australia, Australia's own honours system. · established the Family Court of Australia ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> replaced Australia's adversarial divorce laws with a new, no-fault system ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> introduced the Trade Practices Act; ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> withdrew the remaining Australian troops from Vietnam ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> banned sporting teams from South Africa in protest against //Apartheid// ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> welfare payments were introduced for single-parent families and homeless persons. ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> what remained of the "White Australia Policy" was abolished ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> the PMG's Department was replaced by Telecom and Australia Post ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> targeted financial grants were made to the States for the: Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> round-Australia highway Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> community health centres Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> regionally based hospitals Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Adelaide’s link by standard gauge railway to Sydney, Alice Springs and Perth Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Extension and electrification of Brisbane's railway system ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> developed regional growth centres like Albury-Wodonga and Bathurst-Orange ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Papua New Guinea was at once given self-government and, in September 1975, independence. ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> United Nations human rights and nuclear disarmament conventions ratified ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> diplomatic relations established with both halves of Germany, Viet Nam and Korea ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> France ceased atmospheric nuclear tests in the South Pacific after Australia, New Zealand and Fiji took proceedings in the International Court of Justice. ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> passed laws to protect the environment and national heritage in the States ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> the Queen's title became "Queen of Australia" ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> "Advance Australia Fair" was used as the national anthem ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> new Australian passports no longer referred to Australians as British citizens. ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> introduced the legislation for the Australian National Gallery ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> the Australia Council was appointed ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> the Australian Film and Television School and Australian Film Commission were established ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> FM radio and colour TV were introduced ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> passed the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established a program to bring sewerage to all urban areas ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established the Legal Aid office ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established the Australian Heritage Commission ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established the Law Reform Commission ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> established the office of Women’s Affairs ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> removed the sales tax on the contraceptive pill ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> began the move to Multiculturalism ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> introduced the policy of self-determination for Aboriginal people ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> created a universal, free health insurance system to be known as Medibank (later called Medicare) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> provided citizens of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory with Senate representation for the first time.

== So obviously Whitlam was the leader of a government which changed Australia in many ways - for better or worse. There were lots of problems too. Some of the governments problems were caused by an international oil crisis. Petrol prices rose 400% and caused massive inflation. Many people thought the government spent too much money in troubled times. Whitlam sacked two of his ministers as a result of the "loans affair" because they had not told the truth to parliament. The end came when the Opposition in the Senate blocked the supply of money to try to force Whitlam into an early election. When Whitlam wouldn't give in the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, sacked Whitlam's government and ordered early elections. A.L.P. supporters were very angry, but the majority of Australians voted for a new Liberal/Country Party coalition government in the 1975 elections.==

=== Watch this video of these action-packed years. If the video widget isn't visible then copy this address and paste it into your address bar and watch it there! [] ===

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= Writing an Essay: Assessing Whitlam = Exam questions have to come from the year 10 History syllabus. The syllabus says that students learn to do certain things, e.g. “assess the contribution of the chosen Prime Minister to Australia’s post-war development”.

So the school certificate exam could set you an essay question like the one below.

** Assess the contribution of one Australian post-war Prime Minister to Australia’s development. (15) **  “Assess” means that you have to make judgements! You would need to show your knowledge of: o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Whitlam’s achievements o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Whitlam’s problems But you also would need to make judgements. The word “development” here means “growth or progress”. So to //assess// this you need to decide what you think Whitlam’s government achieved in its three years in power. Did Australia //develop// in that time? Or did the government do more harm than good?

Decide on the broad areas in which you could argue Australia developed as a nation. Four possibilities are: §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Aboriginal policy §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Women’s rights §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Foreign policy §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Multiculturalism
 * Step 1**

Decide whether you think Whitlam’s government had a negative effect on Australia’s development. Ideas you could talk about would include : §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The economy §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Political scandal
 * Step 2**

Write a paragraph introducing your answer. It could include phrases like:
 * Step 3**

During the government of Gough Whitlam Australia developed significantly in the areas of …But Whitlam’s time in government also saw Australia struggle with the problems of… Then you could write a brief paragraph on each major idea. Make sure that in each paragraph you say how this area of government activity affected Australia’s development. This is a sample paragraph.
 * Step 4**

Whitlam’s government was responsible for some dramatic developments in foreign policy. China and other communist nations were recognised and this led to more trade, travel and cultural exchange. New Guinea was granted independence. Australia supported human rights in other countries like South Africa and ended discrimination in Australia. Australia ended involvement in the Vietnam War. These changes were all positive developments, made Australia seem more independent, and improved Australia’s relationships with many countries. On the other hand, while Australia kept its alliance with the U.S.A., the relationship was not as friendly as it had been in the past. You will notice that the paragraph includes //assessment// as well as //information//.

It is now time to sum it all up? What do you think about the Whitlam government’s achievements?
 * Step 5**

After 3 years, had Whitlam made Australia a fairer, more modern and more independent country? Or was his government incompetent and irresponsible, leading Australia into economic decline and political chaos? Or was it a mixture of these ideas?

Your final answer to those questions is the concluding paragraph to your essay.

= A Major Issue: Federal Government Support for the Rights of Women = ===If you are asked to write about a major issue then this would be a good one to choose because you have already studied it. Whitlam's government took a number of steps to assist women in their struggles for rights. You might like to consider how these government actions would have changed women's lives.=== === He appointed Elizabeth Reid as an adviser to the Prime Minister. He also created an Office of Women's Affairs to help address gender inequality. In the workplace his government ensured the success of the campaigns for equal pay and a basic wage for women in the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. His government set the example by appointing women as judges and heads of government departments. The creation of the Family Court and introduction of no-fault divorce laws helped many women. Welfare payments for single parent families were approved too. Birth control pills were made cheaper by the removal of sales tax. Federal funds were provided for Community Health centres. ===