Whitlam Quotes

Men and women of western Sydney, it's appropriate, you apparently believe, that Australia's oldest surviving Prime Minister should make the concluding remarks in Australia's oldest surviving Government House. I hope the building's foundations are a bit more substantial than mine. ~ Gough Whitlam

The road ahead may be difficult for all Australians, but we need not be divided on partisan lines. ~ Tony Whitlam

The Caucus I joined in 1953 had as many Boer War veterans as men who had seen active service in World War II, three from each. The Ministry appointed on 5 December 1972 was composed entirely of ex-servicemen: Lance Barnard and me. ~ Gough Whitlam

Well may we say 'God save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General'. ~ Gough Whitlam

He reveals that he has been a poor politician, a bad judge and a malevolent individual. ~ Gough Whitlam

Conscription is an impediment to achieving the forces Australia needs. It is an alibi for failing to give proper conditions to regular soldiers. We will abolish conscription forthwith. By abolishing it, Australia will achieve a better army, a better-paid army - and a better, united society. ~ Gough Whitlam

I've never said I'm immortal. I do believe in correct language. I'm eternal; I'm not immortal. ~ Gough Whitlam

Gough, of course, would have loved to speak today but the rules of the game have disqualified him. ~ Tony Whitlam

Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste. We are all diminished when any of us are denied proper education. The nation is the poorer - a poorer economy, a poorer civilization, because of this human and national waste. ~ Gough Whitlam

I have more influence now than when I had the power. ~ Gough Whitlam

Now that I've reached the age where I need my children more than they need me, I really understand how grand it is to be a grandmother. ~ Margaret Whitlam

Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands this piece of the earth itself as a sign that we restore them to you and your children forever. ~ Gough Whitlam

When Sir Winton Turnbull [who represented a large rural seat] was raving and ranting on the adjournment and shouted: "I am a Country member". I interjected "I remember". He could not understand why, for the first time in all the years he had been speaking in the House, there was instant and loud applause from both sides. ~ Gough Whitlam

The punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race. ~ Gough Whitlam

Hostility towards China distorted Australia's international affairs for 20 years until 1972, but reconciliation with China 30 years ago had produced a quarter century of constructive bipartisan relations with our region and the world, unmatched in Australian history. ~ Gough Whitlam

He embraced political power not as an end in itself, but for what it could accomplish for the betterment of society; ~ Mungo MacCallum

A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic; reformism is basically optimistic. ~ Gough Whitlam

I want to catch Mr Whitlam with his pants down. ~ Malcolm Fraser

The family was serious about education; after dinner, Fred was known to issue volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica to his children and guests for a little light reading. ~ Mungo MacCallum

An education system where student selection is based on credit capacity and not merit capacity and where graduating students are no longer indebted to the nation, but increasingly indebted to the Australian Taxation Office - that's no way to improve the quality of education. ~ Gough Whitlam

My great objective as a parliamentarian was to dramatise the deficiencies and devise practical government programs to deal with them. It was a cause that went to the heart of our way of life. ~ Gough Whitlam

It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker. ~ Gough Whitlam

The effect on the geo-cultural political map of Australia made by Gough Whitlam is so vast that wherever you stick the pin in, you get a wealth of Gough's legacy. ~ Cate Blanchett

I'm the only P.M. of which that can be said - 'His legislation was never declared invalid in the High Court.' ~ Gough Whitlam

Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say 'God Save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General. The proclamation you have just heard was countersigned Malcolm Fraser, who will go down in history as Kerr's cur. ~ Gough Whitlam

Dying will happen sometime. As you know, I plan for the ages, not just for this life. ~ Gough Whitlam

I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it. ~ Gough Whitlam

I saw my role as prime minister's wife as being human towards other humans and not treating them badly. ~ Margaret Whitlam

She was a remarkable person and the love of my life. ~ Gough Whitlam