Death of a great man

[Vortex]

For those that dont live in Australia you have most likely never heard of him but every true Australian will know his name. Gough Whitlam. He was (is?) the 21st Prime Minister and he died this morning at the age of 98.

"So what?" I hear you say "What did he do that was so great?". Well Comrades he done alot

- Abolished White Australia
- Restored land to the Aboriginal peoples
- Removed the tax on contraceptives
- Established Universal Education
- Established Medicare (Which is our Universal Healthcare system)
- Legislated No-Fault Divorce
- Removed Conscription
- Removed the death penalty
- Gave women equal pay
- One of, if not the first, western leaders to recognise Communist China
- Denounced America for dropping bombs onto Civilian areas
- The first left leaning leader after a total of 23 years of right wing rule, most likely thanks to his reforming of the Labour Party's structure and elective system
- Founded the National Gallery as well as doubling funding to the arts
- Founded the Australian Heritage Commission
- The Australian Film and Television School
- Established the SBS
- Established the first Family court
- Founded Telecom
- Established the Australian Legal Office and Australian Law Reform Commision
- An early forerunner of the Productivity Commission was established as was the Trade Practices Act and a predecessor of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
- The Australian Assistance Plan to fund regional councils and employment projects
- The National Sewerage Program connected suburban homes to sewerage. The government spent $330 million on the program before it was cancelled by the Fraser government but in Sydney the backlog of unsewered properties fell from 158,884 in 1973 to 95,505 in 1978. Similarly, in Melbourne, the backlog was reduced from 160,000 in 1972-73, to 88,000 in 1978-79.
- Reduced the voting age to 18
- Provided the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory with representation in the Senate.
- It replaced "God Save the Queen" with "Advance Australia Fair" as the national anthem.
- An Order of Australia replaced the British Honours system.
- The Racial Discrimination Act 1975
- The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established
- A good amount of Scandals (each leader needs at least a few)
- He was incredibly witty
- And Called everyone "Comrade"

And keep in mind that he done this in a total of aboot 4 years until...

THE DISMISSAL

The Governor General is the supposed representative of the queen and has the power to dismiss the PM from office.

Well... Thats what happened.

With the Opposition-controlled Senate delaying passage of laws, Whitlam called a double-dissolution election in 1974 which he went on to win, albeit with a slightly reduced majority. However, the Opposition continued to control the Senate, and after becoming emboldened by government scandals and a flagging economy, began to challenge Whitlam again. In late 1975, the Senate prevented the progress of appropriation bills, thus denying the Government supply. Whitlam refused to back down, arguing that his elected Government was being held to ransom by the Senate. Kerr stepped in and dismissed Whitlam

When he was dismissed he spoke outside Parliment House saying

"Well may we say "God save the Queen", because nothing will save the Governor-General! The Proclamation which you have just heard read by the Governor-General's Official Secretary was countersigned Malcolm Fraser, who will undoubtedly go down in Australian history from Remembrance Day 1975 as Kerr's cur"

[vancexentan]

Well at the very least you can say he is a major advocate of change in Australia. I suppose this is like the passing of your FDR.

[Vortex]

Yeah, although I dont recall FDR being betrayed by his right hand man

Goddamit...

This is why we need to become a republic

[Nyxella]

Sadness! This news hasn't reached our shores yet (via mainstream, anyway). I lived in Australia for a couple years, and this much I know: Whitlam was a 'bloody legend' - definitely one of the country's greatest champions. The first and only time I had met him was during a state-wide campaign to educate school-aged children about the voting system (I think? Words didn't matter as much as Sailor Moon did back in those days). He was so lovely and patient with us, we initially thought Santa had chosen to visit early. I learnt a little more about him in high school when writing a biography for Social Studies and damn, what a brilliant man he was. However, what I remember most was having to draw those infamous brows on his portrait for the cover art, and getting laughed at about it because everyone thought I was taking the piss.

He issued many memorable quotes, like the iconic "It's Time", and of course "Kerr's cur". He stood up for the indigenous population in an era when segregation was the norm and violations against were not formally recognised. That many of my older, Aboriginal friends speak of him in a friendly tone is a testiment to this in itself. His voice and manner/mana were revered and felt from federal to community level. This is such a great loss for all, but I pity this modern generation the most, as I doubt we'll ever see another public figure of this caliber rise and take charge again. It is some consolation knowing that, finally, he and 'his Margaret' can rest together peacefully.

[code gary]

its always important to have those leaders who promote racial equality and progression, especially with a country like Australia that i do not doubt has had its share of racial tension and white dominance

[VATROU]

Well wish we had leaders like that, up in America. Nothing ever really gets done here.

[Vortex]

Nyxella said
Sadness! This news hasn't reached our shores yet (via mainstream, anyway). I lived in Australia for a couple years, and this much I know: Whitlam was a 'bloody legend' - definitely one of the country's greatest champions. The first and only time I had met him was during a state-wide campaign to educate school-aged children about the voting system (I think? Words didn't matter as much as Sailor Moon did back in those days). He was so lovely and patient with us, we initially thought Santa had chosen to visit early. I learnt a little more about him in high school when writing a biography for Social Studies and damn, what a brilliant man he was. However, what I remember most was having to draw those infamous brows on his portrait for the cover art, and getting laughed at about it because everyone thought I was taking the piss. He issued many memorable quotes, like the iconic "It's Time", and of course "Kerr's cur". He stood up for the indigenous population in an era when segregation was the norm and violations against were not formally recognised. That many of my older, Aboriginal friends speak of him in a friendly tone is a testiment to this in itself. His voice and manner/mana were revered and felt from federal to community level. This is such a great loss for all, but I pity this modern generation the most, as I doubt we'll ever see another public figure of this caliber rise and take charge again. It is some consolation knowing that, finally, he and 'his Margaret' can rest together peacefully.

Your darn right he's a "Bloody Legend". I dare say he is one of the greatest Australians to ever have lived, and certainly the best that has lead us. Hell I'm not religious or anything but I wouldn't have any objections if he became a saint, which he practically is for the Labour party.

code gary said
its always important to have those leaders who promote racial equality and progression, especially with a country like Australia that i do not doubt has had its share of racial tension and white dominance

You have no idea what we put the Aboriginals through Comrade. It truly is a disgrace.

VATROU said
Well wish we had leaders like that, up in America. Nothing ever really gets done here.

Well if it makes you feel any better we havent had a decent leader for the past 20 years or so

[So Boerd]

VATROU said
Well wish we had leaders like that, up in America. Nothing ever really gets done here.

I've got no interest in economicallly imploding like the Eurozone, which is where this road goes.

[Vortex]

So Boerd said
I've got no interest in economicallly imploding like the Eurozone, which is where this road goes.

The point is that even if you don't agree with his politics Whitlam actually got things done and not just occasionally pass a few meaningless bills that most politicians seem to be doing these days

[So Boerd]

Vortex said
The point is that even if you don't agree with his politics Whitlam actually got things done and not just occasionally pass a few meaningless bills that most politicians seem to be doing these days

Stalin got things done too. Just because someone "got things done" does not ipso facto mean they are great.

[Lord Pie]

I like his eyebrows. He'd get my vote.

[Vortex]

So Boerd said
Stalin got things done too. Just because someone "got things done" does not ipso facto mean they are great.

Thats certainly a extreme comparison but I see your point. However it is clear from the reforms that Whitlam made to the country that he was a indeed a great man

[Revans Exile]

Just another dead liberal. Move along nothing to see here.

[Vortex]

Revans Exile said
Just another dead liberal. Move along nothing to see here.

Did you even look at his achievements? Even if you don't agree with Liberalism (which he wasn't, he was more of a Socialist) it is clear he done many great things

A few of his more neutral polices that nobody should reject
- Abolished White Australia
- Restored land to the Aboriginal peoples
- Gave women equal pay
- Gave the Territories representation in Parliment
- The Racial Discrimination Act 1975
- The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established

And btw he was a part of the Labour party not The Liberals :)

[Revans Exile]

Vortex said Did you even look at his achievements?

Yes.

As for his neutral policies/acts, a billion neutral acts/policies do not counteract even one socialist act/policy.

Vortex said And btw he was a part of the Labour party not The Liberals :)

I was being kind, since he is dead. He is a socialist scum bag who should be rotting in hell. Besides if you are left of center you are Liberal &/or Socialist scumbag regardless what your country calls their parties.

[Vortex]

Revans Exile said
Yes.As for his neutral policies/acts, a billion neutral acts/policies do not counteract even one socialist act/policy.

Not entirely sure what to make of this statement but judging by your comment below it seems like you don't like lefties.

Anyhow, surely you cant be serious? Im biased because I'm already on the left but isn't enacting just one neutral policy that gives non-white Australians equal rights worth enacting just one Socialist one?

Revans Exile said
I was being kind, since he is dead. He is a socialist scum bag who should be rotting in hell. Besides if you are left of center you are Liberal &/or Socialist scumbag regardless what your country calls their parties.

You don't understand the joke. Whitlam was part of the Labour Party (left wing) who won after 23 years of Liberal party (right wing) government and was then betrayed by his right hand man who gave power to the Liberals.

To you it may not be funny, but the Australians who read it probably got a giggle or two

Revans Exile said
Liberal &/or Socialist scumbag

Well it was only a matter of time before someone around here said it directly I guess. Well done. However I must ask what exactly makes Liberals and Socialist (two very different groups btw) scumbags

[Revans Exile]

Vortex said Liberals and Socialist (two very different groups btw)

They are not to different groups. A socialist is a watered down communist, and a liberal is a watered down socialist. No matter how much you water down the communist Kool Aid it is still communist Kool Aid.

[Vortex]

What the hell is Kool Aid?

Anyway, Let me explain
A Liberal is able to believe in absolute "freedom" and reject socialist policies like Nationalisation (think Ron Paul) while a Socialist is able to believe in Socialistic policies but also able to reject Liberalism and freedoms (think Stalin). However they are both examples and alot of Liberals are often Socialist and a lot of Socialists are often Liberal.

Now, whats so bad about Communism?

[VATROU]

In truth, there's nothing wrong with any ruling system. It's often those who pull the strings who make it wrong. As the saying goes, Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.