Skip To Content

    One Of Australia's Greatest Prime Ministers Gough Whitlam Dead At 98

    The former Australian Prime Minister is being remembered as one of the "greatest reformist prime ministers".

    The former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who served as leader between 1972 until he was dismissed from government in 1975, has died aged 98.

    A statement from the Whitlam family has been sent to media outlets including the ABC who broke the news on Tuesday morning.

    The death of Gough Whitlam: family statement.

    The iconic Labor prime minister is remembered as one of the "greatest reformist prime ministers" for revolutionising the education and health systems and making them free for all Australians.

    ABC journalist Chris Uhlmann on Gough #Whitlam: “He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest reformist prime minister”

    Prime Minister Tony Abbott released a statement calling the party-rival a "giant of his time" and instructing all flags to fly at half mast.

    Australia mourns the passing of its 21st Prime Minister, the Honourable Edward Gough Whitlam AC QC. http://t.co/1UdHAaSR5X

    Former Labor Prime Minister penned a tribute in the Guardian Australia: "Gough will live always in our nation, which he transformed throughout his long public life."

    And the Labor Leader Bill Shorten delivered several speeches for Gough Whitlam. Mr Shorten called him a "giant" and "legend" of the Australian Labor Party.

    View this video on YouTube

    youtube.com

    Labor party members sat in a special caucus and heard speeches from Mr Shorten and from Mr Whitlam's good friend, Senator John Faulkner.

    View this video on YouTube

    youtube.com

    And other Labor Party members took turns paying tribute to Mr Whitlam.

    Senior Labor MP Jason Clare says Australia has lost a <img src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v1/72x72/201c.png">giant<img src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v1/72x72/201d.png"> with the death of Gough Whitlam #auspol

    I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Gough Whitlam. Gough gave us universal health care, equal pay, consumer protection. A great Australian

    Labor’s Anthony Albanese: “You can draw a line in Australian history: Pre-Whitlam and Post-Whitlam” #auspol

    In 1975, Mr Whitlam was kicked out of office by the Governor-General in what became known as "The Dimissal". The speech on the steps of parliament became one of the most iconic moments in Australian history.

    vine.co