Gough Whitlam, former prime minister responsible for introducing revolutionary changes during his three year term that would go on to shape the landscape of Australia for generations to come [universal healthcare, free access to higher education, environmental protection laws, the Racial Discrimination Act, the formal abolition of the White Australia policy], has died at age 98.
Whitlam’s family confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday, saying:
“Our father, Gough Whitlam, has died this morning at the age of 98. A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians. There will be a private cremation and a public memorial service.”
Incumbent PM Tony Abbott has memorialised Whitlam in a statement, calling him “a giant of his time” responsible for inspiring “a legion of young people to get involved in public life”, while praising him for breaking ground on diplomatic relationships with China and recognising “the journey that our country needed to take with indigenous Australians.”
More to come.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
