Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

It is a privilege to join the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition and other members in mourning the passing of Gough Whitlam, AC, QC, 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Today is a day to honour our former Prime Minister, his accomplishments, his impact on shaping the modern Australia, his wit and his larger-than-life personality. Gough Whitlam is being heralded today as a giant of the Labor Party and that is, of course, true, but he has also been a towering figure of Australian politics. His policy legacy endures to this day and will also into the future. His changes helped to shape the lives of every Australian since 1972.

He changed the way in which politics is conducted in this country, and he can certainly lay claim to being the father of modern campaigning in Australia. His 'It's time' campaign has probably never been surpassed, with its dynamism, vibrancy and momentum. His unfailing wit never abandoned him, even at the ripe old age of 98. He is a national treasure whom we have admired since he first entered public life when he was elected to this place in 1952. At 98, I think even he would acknowledge, that is a pretty remarkable innings.

One of the things that marked his two short terms in government was the sheer pace of the sweeping reforms. It was probably a credit to him but also in some senses a curse. His early days of government were simply cyclonic. A government of only two that set about change and seemingly changed everything. He was so eager to get things done that he risked leaving the community behind. But I do not think he cared; he was determined to get things done.

The list of Gough's enduring stamp on our nation is long. I will note just a few. He was unquestionably the father of the modern welfare system. He made welfare a right and took away the shame or embarrassment of receiving a pension or welfare assistance. He abolished military conscription and completed the withdrawal from Vietnam. He extended Commonwealth influence into areas that had traditionally been the influence of the state, such as universal health care, needs-based school funding and fee-free university education. He abolished the death penalty and overhauled legal aid. He recognised the basic unfairness that Indigenous Australians suffered. He introduced the Family Law Court and no-fault divorce.

There are other things that people remember him for as well. He removed the word 'Commonwealth' from the government and changed it to 'Australian government'—which did not last all that much longer after he retired from government. He also abolished the imperial honours, he changed the national anthem and I think he would have changed the Australian flag if he could have got away with it. Many of those changes were highly controversial then but they are pretty well universally accepted now. Indeed, they are taken for granted as part of the Australian way of life, our identity and our sense of fundamental fairness. In many ways the Whitlam era, though brief, brought Australia into the 20th century. It certainly brought politics and social policy up to date with the social dynamic of the time and meshed policy with the modern Australian community.

As the Leader of the Opposition said, Gough and Margaret were in some senses trendsetters—a political team, as the Prime Minister mentioned. It would be remiss not to recognise on this day the profound influence that Margaret Whitlam had on her husband and the nation. It was a very public partnership—the likes of which we had rarely seen. We saw that relationship as part of the transformation that was occurring across the country. They were true equals who clearly shared mutual respect. They were a team—and, indeed, a formidable team.

Over the years I have listened to many from the Labor Party say that they were inspired to become involved in politics because of Gough Whitlam. Often it was mentioned in members' maiden speeches. But it was true also of people on this side. Many on this side were inspired to get involved in politics for the opposite reason: they thought it was necessary to stand up against some of the things that he stood for.

He did not have a lot of support, it has to be said, in the regions. Farmers were protesting outside of Parliament House. I have to confess that I was one of them. We arranged busloads and they came from all over the country to protest about concerns about the policy direction that he was taking. He undoubtedly encouraged me—though he did not wish to do so—to be engaged in the political process. I joined a political party too, but it was not the Labor Party. He did give me my first chance to be involved in political activities when he appointed me to the National Rural Advisory Council. I guess I did not always give him good advice, but nonetheless it introduced me to the political scene in Canberra and helped in many ways to shape my own involvement.

He remained true to himself and his ideals. He had the courage of his convictions and he acted upon them. Many people recognised his service as a Queen's Counsel, a member of parliament, Leader of the Opposition, Prime Minister and Ambassador to UNESCO, but he also was a patriot. There are many measures to patriotism. His conviction in political life is one, but another was his commitment as an airman in World War II. He registered to join the Royal Australian Air Force within hours of news of the Pearl Harbor attack reaching Australia, and he went on to serve from 1942 to 1945. With 13 Squadron he was a navigator on long anti-sub patrols and bombing missions in our northern waters from various bases, including Cooktown and Gove. He did not leave the Air Force until October—well after the end of hostilities and after 13 Squadron had been involved in repatriating many Australians, including prisoners of war.

His connection with Canberra was lifelong. His family moved to Canberra in 1927, when his father was appointed Assistant Crown Solicitor, and young Gough went to school initially at Telopea Park, just down the road from Parliament House. Later he went to Canberra Grammar and then on to university and war service.

Very few Australians have the privilege of serving as Prime Minister. It takes outstanding personal capacities and stamina to do so. He was a towering figure also because he was physically an imposing man, but he had an equally robust personality and intellect, as many of my predecessors can testify. I met him only a few times, but when he entered a room he dominated it. When he engaged in conversation he filled it. He once attended the funeral of one of my predecessors as Member for Wide Bay, Brandon Hanson, in Maryborough. That day he was in a wheelchair, but he was still a towering figure.

Above all, Gough Whitlam was unambiguously committed to Australia. Australia continues to benefit from much of his legacy today. He recognised China. He not only went to China but blazed a trail which much of the rest of the world followed. He carved a unique and extraordinary chapter in Australian history. We respect his courage, his conviction and his contribution. It is appropriate that the nation recognises his successes and mourns his passing. May he rest in peace. Our condolences go to his family, particularly his children, Nicholas, Tony, Stephen and Catherine. I salute a great Australian.

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