It was 50 years ago today that “The Dismissal” occurred when the Governor General plotted in secret to dismiss the elected government of the day.
Whitlam was not without fault but he changed Australia for ever after years of moribund Coalition governments and unelectable Labor Opposition.
Noel Pearsons Obituary at Gough Witlam’s Funeral summed up his achievements
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?”
“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!