50 years ago a seismic change happened in the Australian Political scene with the election of the Whitlam Government after 26 years of stagnant conservative government. The government only lasted three years but changed Australia for ever.
It spelled the end of conscription, the introduction of sewage in the suburbs, free tertiary education, universal health care and the end of the White Australia Policy.
The legacy was summed up best by Noel Pearson at Whitlam’s memorial service.
Thirty-eight years later we are like John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin’s Jewish insurgents ranting against the despotic rule of Rome, defiantly demanding “and what did the Romans ever do for us anyway?”
“Apart from Medibank?”
“and the Trade Practices Act 1974?”
“cutting tariff protections?”
“no-fault divorce and the Family Law Act 1975?”
“the Australia Council?”
“the Federal Court?”
“the Order of Australia?”
“federal legal aid?”
“the Racial Discrimination Act 1975?”
“needs-based schools funding?”
“the recognition of China?”
“The Heritage Commission?”
“non-discriminatory immigration rules?”
“community health clinics?”
“Aboriginal land rights?”
“paid maternity leave for public servants?”
“lowering the minimum voting age to 18 years?”
“fair electoral boundaries and Senate representation for the Territories?”
Apart from all of this, what did this Roman ever do for us?”
Brilliant!
Not that Whitlam didn’t make mistakes - too much too fast and too little explanation - something the long lasting Hawke/Keating Government learned from
Gough Whitlam doesn’t lash out at anyone, he has been dead for eight years.
Presumably you are talking about Medibank Private Health Insurance which was started by the Fraser Government after the dismissal of the Whitlam Government and hence nothing to do with Gough Whitlam.
Perhaps you would like to comment on something relevant to the Whitlam government and its 50th Anniversary?
I’m glad you mentioned that because of course reducing the protectionist import tariffs did markedly affect the price of fish. The Whitlam Government also created the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to protect fish and other species.
A very good point RS, thank you for raising it and pointing out yet another debt of gratitude the world owes to the Whitlam government.
wot not emptied - but seriously some of the inhabited ones with a surviving pub and church and one shop or two and aussie tourists milling around look very enticing but you’d be stuffed without a car heh? but that’s the old england just at the end of the rainbow! oh yes must have a stream and a rainbow!
