About
The Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney is a dynamic public policy institute that commemorates the life and work of one of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers, The Hon. Gough Whitlam AC QC, and pursues the causes he championed during his parliamentary career and years of statesman service to the people of Australia. Through the Whitlam Institute Program the Institute bridges the historical legacy of Mr Whitlam’s years in public life and the contemporary relevance of the Institute’s work to public discourse and policy.
The Whitlam Institute is also custodian of the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection, under the stewardship of the University of Western Sydney Library. The Collection includes books, papers and memorabilia gifted by Mr Whitlam and other donors. This nationally significant Collection has been catalogued and digitised and is available as an e-collection for researchers, scholars and members of the public. Our commitment is to ensure that the Collection is open and accessible.
The Whitlam Institute exists to improve the quality of life for all Australians and its spirit is best captured in Mr Whitlam's own words when signing a further substantial Deed of Gift in 2003 with the University of Western Sydney:
The greatest contribution that I hope to bestow is inspiration. That the work and causes championed in my parliamentary career and the statesman service that followed, will provide the basis for ongoing research and advocacy from this university into the contemporary challenges that confront and can improve the quality of life for all Australians....
[December 2003]
