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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

This is a portrait of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

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  4. Gough Whitlam

Gough Whitlam

Gough Whitlam was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975.

About Gough Whitlam

Portrait of Gough Whitlam.

  • Born: 11 July 1916
  • Died: 21 October 2014
  • Partner: Margaret Elaine Whitlam
  • Political party: Australian Labor Party 
  • Image: NAA: A6135, K19/3/75/15

Gough Whitlam became Australia’s 21st Prime Minister on 5 December 1972. His Labor government, the first after more than 2 decades, set out to change Australia through a wide-ranging reform program. Whitlam’s term abruptly ended when his government was dismissed by the Governor-General on 11 November 1975.

The public lives of Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret extend over half a century. After serving in the Royal Australian Air Force, Whitlam joined the Australian Labor Party in 1945. He became the Member for Werriwa in Sydney’s south in 1952, retaining the seat in 11 more federal elections over the next 25 years.

Whitlam led the reform of the Labor Party platform during the long years in Opposition. As Prime Minister, he immediately set about implementing a reform program that included strengthening Australia’s status by making Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Australia. His government drew on international agreements to develop programs on human rights, the environment and conservation.

Margaret Whitlam played an important role as a political and prime ministerial wife. An outspoken public speaker, broadcaster and columnist, she accompanied Gough Whitlam on his countless overseas travels. As a qualified social worker, she was particularly interested in social conditions. Their public lives continued after they left The Lodge in 1975. Mrs Whitlam died in March 2012.

Buy a copy of The Whitlam Years

Did you know?

Gough Whitlam:

  • was the only prime minister to grow up in the national capital
  • was dubbed ‘the young brolga’ when he entered parliament, for his height (194cm) and imperious bearing
  • was one of only 2 prime ministers whose lifetime spanned the lives of all 25 prime ministers in Australia’s first 100 years (John Gorton was the other)
  • was on active service in World War II as a RAAF navigator, despite suffering badly from airsickness
  • was the only prime minister dismissed from office
  • and his government introduced a record number of Bills, and enacted a record number, though the Senate rejected 93 Bills, more than the total number rejected during the previous 71 years of the parliament
  • was Australia's longest-lived prime minister
  • was commemorated in 2000 with the Whitlam Institute

In this section: Gough Whitlam

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Learning Resources

Original records and material to help students with their research.

Record

This is an electronic document with the Australian coat of arms at the top of the first page. The framed heading ‘Prime Minister’ sits below the coat of arms. The words ‘The First Year’ are underlined, followed by the words ‘Statement by the Prime Minister the Hon. E.G. Whitlam, Q.C., M.P., on the achievements of the Labor Government’s first year of office’.

Labor Government’s women’s rights achievements after first year in office – statement by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam

In this document Whitlam restates his government’s ‘three great aims’, Addressing barriers to women’s advancement aligned with all three of these aims.

Record

Letter to Gough Whitlam from Sir John Kerr dismissing him as Prime Minister, 1975.

Letter to Gough Whitlam from Sir John Kerr dismissing him as Prime Minister, 1975

This is the letter that Governor-General Sir John Kerr handed to Gough Whitlam, terminating his appointment as Prime Minister of Australia on 11 November 1975.

Record

Vincent Lingiari speaking at the Wave Hill handover.

Vincent Lingiari speaking at the Wave Hill handover

This colour photograph taken on 16 August 1975 at Daguragu (formerly known as Wattie Creek) in the Northern Territory shows Gurindji Elder Vincent Lingiari speaking at a ceremony. The ceremony was to mark the transfer of leasehold title to the Gurindji. Lingiari is holding the official documents that have just been handed to him by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who is standing to Lingiari’s left.

Records about Gough Whitlam

View selected National Archives' records about Gough Whitlam

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of William McMahon.

William McMahon

1971-1972

Portrait of Malcolm Fraser.

Malcolm Fraser

1975-1983

Portrait of Robert Hawke.

Robert Hawke

1983-1991

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

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The National Archives of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

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