Whitlam Dismissing this Life
I was happy to hear of former Prime Minister’s Gough Whitlam’s death as he was 98. A very good innings. My mother told me she cried as she was near him when he gave his famous dismissal speech on the steps of old Parliament House. Both my parents supported the labour values. We lived in Canberra and most Canberran’s had an interest in politics, most supported social policies. He was probably our only true blue left wing Prime Minister as he was interested in social reform. As a person commented to me yesterday the other politicians are only interested in the power. He was a great orator and inspired future generations. It is interesting looking at politics overtime and much of it is the same rhetoric. The same special interests seek to control the political process to meet their own needs rather than the group needs (society). It is interesting to explore mind sets that only see a narrow perspective compared to those who look at social change and the empowerment of the many. I am observing the times we move through and watch with interest who will arise to be a true leader of the people’s interests rather than a puppet for other’s interests.
When you observe the rights of the people being curtailed, those unemployed being regarded as useless or discrimination in all its form parading as rationale argument it reveals the level of fear in people. Whether they be perceived leaders or those on the streets believing the media, the fear is orchestrated. Yet in truth we always have choices as to what we choose to believe. For myself I have chosen to travel, to educate myself and to trust my own intuition, in truth to lead myself and make my own conclusions. I had a discussion with an Indian man yesterday who didn’t believe that Gandhi was a noble person serving the people and promoting nonviolence, he saw a politician manipulating others for his own interest. I wondered at projection. I looked at the contrast. I spoke my truth and guided him to some books of Gandhi (in his words) if he wanted to learn from the person he hated and be open to change his view. He declined my offer. I spoke to him lovingly that it is good we can disagree on a topic and share our ideas nonviolently. I told him Gandhi inspired my life to work for peace. For that was my truth, so even if Gandhi had done other things, he inspired a nonviolent future in my view. He was another type of leader. I wondered at how we can judge others in public office when we haven’t sat in their chair, yet many of us are arm chair critics assuming what we have learned, the beliefs we have held are true, even if the evidence doesn’t support our case. We still believe our thoughts and it (in truth) changes our world. I prefer to live in my world which is full of trust and wonder and I could see he lived in a different world. Some may say naive, I say the cup is half full.
Whitlam for me was a cup half full person. He saw the potential. He was an entrepreneur, a visionary. He made tough decisions and ushered in social welfare reforms that changed Australia and in my view moved us towards a social democracy. There is a great feeling in having medicare – knowing that if you get sick you do not have to fork money out to get medical help. Although nowadays we have to pay for ambulances, I would see that service as a public good to be paid by taxes. In the 1970’s users pay hadn’t come in and there was a consciousness around taxation used for social purposes. Moreover, there was a real awareness of the importance of equality, fairness, social equity and expanding potential of the talent here in this country. There was rhetoric about not losing the brain drain but really building an intelligent society that was compassionate to those who may not have been able to make their way. I really love that about Australia. I also loved the easy going nature of people back in those days. I remember riding free on buses. I remember when I started university in 1989 HECs came in (Higher Education Contribution Scheme – HECs), that was the first year we had to incur a debt. I remember thinking darn it – I wish I had studied earlier and got my education for free. I knew the value of free education that year. The greed was not so noticeable in those days as it is now. People gave things for free. Jobs were easier to get you could just walk in without all the c.v. jargon. People gave you an opportunity more readily. I worked in around 400 companies by my mid 30’s. I had so much experience. As time went on more and more regulations came in. Society started to lose its carefree nature and people became increasingly stressed as we became more materialistic and technological. As we moved away from those simpler days of community we moved into a fast paced world where people no longer had time to meet up. Mothers groups which was common in the 1970’s were moving towards childcare, so children were not playing with friends and connecting with community regularly they were going to school (pre-school) and becoming socialised by teachers rather than community friends. As prices went up people had to work longer and harder. Where it was possible in the 1970’s to buy a house on one income nowadays most people cannot afford a house or in the cities have to buy one for half a million and are in hock their entire lives. There was a feeling of prosperity in those earlier days but today we are feeling the classes divide more as those in the professional class are making good money (particularly on two incomes) and those casualised or lower level positions are still paid $20 per hour. I find that interesting looking back. I was earning $20 an hour in the 1980’s. So you can feel society polarising and that life is getting tougher. The promise of the Whitlam years was a prosperous future and expansion yet without leaving those disadvantaged in our community behind. I really love this feeling of egalitarianism. These days we have more negative views about those who have fallen between the cracks yet I believe the middle class will experience this poverty and is starting to now. Empathy is a great motivator for social reform.
So here is a link from the ABC about the wonderful Gough Whitlam ending an era and a mindset that we are each others keepers. I am still in that mindset and within my own heart I do feel we will return to it. People at this point in time just don’t have the time to really contemplate the big issues but as things start to collapse environmentally and economically we will find the time to focus on what is important. I know human beings are good and so did Gough. I sense Gough was our John F Kennedy. I sense their politics were seen as a threat, yet in truth they shared visions of peace and unity, in my view. Funny how that is opposed.
Update (2026): Whitlam I found out was accused of pedophilia by Fiona Barnett in her book ‘Eyes Wide Open’. It reveals he was compromised. Perhaps this is why he didn’t fight the dismissal. If her allegation is true, my question is why rape a small child? I find it impossible to understand. The politicians speak in language that sounds decent and with visions that advance democracy, social welfare and sovereignty. It is impossible to fathom without him being interviewed.