Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam dead at 98

23 September 1977. Sir John Gorton and Gough Whitlam at a national conference for a democratic constitution at the Exhibition Building. Neg: KJ23190 Source: News Corp Australia

His family has released a statement this morning indicating there would be a private cremation and public memorial service for Mr Whitlam.

Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at the Female Orphan School at University of Western Sydney in Rydalmere to meet winners of the fourth annual What Matters? essay competition. Source: News Limited

“Our father, Gough Whitlam, has died this morning at the age of 98,” the statement from his children Anthony, Nicholas and Stephen read.

“A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians.”

Gough Whitlam gathered with a small group of family and friends at an informal lunch to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of his 1972 election victory in 2012. (AAP Image/UWS, Sally Tsoutas) Source: Supplied

Mr Whitlam was one of Australia’s most controversial public figures and was spectacularly dismissed from the prime ministership by Governor-general Sir John Kerr in 1975.

As Australia’s 21st prime minister, he will be remembered as one of Labor’s great reformist leaders.

Pilot officer Gough Whitlam in WWII. Source: Supplied

Gough Whitlam in Northern Australia during WWII. Source: Supplied

In office, he launched trailblazing reforms that included abolishing national service, pulling troops out of Vietnam, giving extra pay to women, establishing free university courses and improving Aboriginal rights.

Whitlam was also credited for reforming the Australian Labor Party and established diplomatic relations with communist China.

Mr Whitlam was the victim of one of Australia’s great political scandals, the 1975 constitutional crisis that will forever be known as The Dismissal.

Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on the steps of Parliament House as Govt House official secretary David Smith reads the proclamation dissolving parliament Nov. 11 1975. Photograph from the Canberra Times. Source: News Corp Australia

On November 11, he was spectacularly removed from office by Governor-General Sir John Kerr after his government could not guarantee supply.

The Liberal-National Opposition held control of the Senate and refused to pass the appropriation bills, which essentially meant that the government did not have access to the public purse to pay for its policies.

Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister of Australia (1972-1975), election campaign 1972. Source: News Corp Australia

The Opposition held the government ransom and refused to pass the bills until Whitlam called an election.

After conversations with the Coalition, Sir John agreed an election was the only way to end the deadlock, and he dismissed Mr Whitlam and appointed Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser as caretaker prime minister in an unprecedented move.

This led to one of the great speeches in Australian politics, when Mr Whitlam took to the steps of what is now Old Parliament House and uttered the immortal line: “Well may we say God Save the Queen; because nothing will save the Governor-General.”

source: news.com.au