Translating political history to address new concerns

Maria Glaros has just completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at UWS, majoring in history and English.

'We knew we were participating in something which went beyond politics as we had come to know it. Gough Whitlam taught us again about undiluted affection for Australia, and revived our hope that the day might come when this country would not read the supports of old affections and old connections'(1). (Paul Keating, 1993)

The definition of legacy is defined as anything that is 'handed down by an ancestor or predecessor.' (2)

Given the definition of this term, it is clear that the Whitlam Government 'handed down' a number of reformist policies that had an overwhelming effect on Australian politics. This essay will discuss the social reforms introduced by Whitlam and the impact that the Whitlam Government had on Australia's foreign policy. In doing so, one must acknowledge that a rejuvenated Australian Labor Party sustained most of the social policies introduced by the Whitlam Government in generations to follow.

Gough Whitlam was prime minister for only three years (1972-75). Despite his brief period in office, the Whitlam Government had accomplished a great deal. Joan E Kirner claims that other 'governments may have been more successful, but have not been so interesting, which is what history ultimately requires.' (3)

The Whitlam Government 're-sparked the Australian nationalism and the bold social policies which had flourished in the first years of the federation.' (4)

Social programs, which the Whitlam Government introduced, continue to exist today. Medibank is continued as Medicare, a health insurance program designed to provide complete coverage of all persons 'against the cost of standard ward hospital treatment and a constant level of cover against medical expenses.' (5)

Education expenditure and vocational training also reflected Whitlam's priorities and was clearly based on the model of Medibank 'as its underlying rationale was the creation of equal opportunity--not equality of current condition.' (6) Other social policies that continue to exist include pensions, that were brought up by Whitlam to 25% of average weekly earnings; the introduction of the Family Allowance Supplement; and occupational superannuation to the whole workforce (7).

Whitlam was also concerned with the environment, which is now reflected in the adoption of the World Heritage conventions, which have had such effect in wilderness and wet tropic areas of Queensland. (8)

With reference to such policies, Keating argues, 'we have seen Labor thinking of the past translated into new policies to meet new concerns.' (9)

Former Prime Minister's Bob Hawke and Paul Keating were leaders of a period considered to be a great progress for Aboriginal people in Australia. Clearly, both Hawke and Keating carried on Whitlam's legacy. This was especially evident with Whitlam's commitment to ratify the social status of Aborigines in Australia. (10)

The new Department of Aboriginal administrators was established, where 'Aborigines acting as advisors and administrators, on both national and community level' were considered to be fundamental part of parliament (11). In 1975, legislation was introduced to set up an Aboriginal land commission to study land claims in the Northern Territory (12). Evidently, there are clear links between the Whitlam Government and the Keating Government, which was also committed to Aboriginal land claims.

The Whitlam Government contributed a great deal toward Australian foreign policy. Whitlam was determined to destroy the 'spectre of the 'yellow peril' that haunted Australian's for so long.' (13) Instead, he encouraged Australians 'to shed the old stultifying fears of animosities which have encumbered the national spirit for generations and dominated...the foreign policy of this nation.' (14) In doing so, Whitlam established economic and political co-operation with Japan. China was also recognized and diplomatic moves were made 'to signal to the world that Australia was no longer either a British or American dependant.' (15)

Australia's foreign policy was steered toward a more independent path, which thanks to Whitlam, 'continues to be made without reference to any 'big brothers' or 'mother countries.' (16)

With the evidence presented above, it is clear that the Whitlam Government had a profound impact on Australian politics. It was the policies and social reforms introduced by Whitlam that revitalized the Australian Labor Party and was later sustained by the next generation of Labor Party leaders. This was especially evident with policies that dealt with social reform, including healthcare, education, and environment. Whitlam also dealt with issues concerning women and Aborigines, which consequently paved the way for the improvement of their status in years to come. Though the Whitlam Government had come to an abrupt end, it is reasonable for one to conclude that its legacy nonetheless will never be forgotten. It is best described by Laurie Oakes, who concludes that, though 'Whitlam had crashed...his talents would be utilised to lay the foundations for an eventual Labor recovery.' (17)

Notes

H. Emy, O. Hughes, & R. Mathews, Whitlam Re-visited: Policy Development, Policies and Outcomes. Leichardt: Pluto Press, 1993, preface.
The Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978, p.182.
Emy, Hughes, Mathews, op.cit. p.253.
Today, Whitlam 'continues to excite attention and divide feelings, to loom large in our history.' James Walter claims that perhaps this is because 'his political career combined unusual achievement with a downfall unparalleled in Australian history.' Nevertheless political observers have tended to write more about Whitlam's career than about any other Australian Prime Minister. In their accounts, commentators have dealt with either positive or negative aspects of Whitlam's leadership. Though many acknowledge his positive achievements during his term in office, others believe that Whitlam 'gambled for all or nothing and consistently won against opponents who were more consciously divided than he.' [J. Brett et al (Eds), Political Lives Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1997, p.28]
Emy, Hughes, Mathews, op.cit. preface.
M. Sexton, Illusions of Power: The fate of a reform government. Sydney: George Allen & Unwin, 1979, p.136.
Ibid., p.26-7.
Whitlam's commitment to education was evident when in 1977 the Federal Government planned to spend $4.5m on a national trade union training college in Victoria. According to John Hirst in May 1975, the building of the college advantaged students who were interested in the 'presentation of arbitration cases and techniques of employer-union negotiations.' [J. Hirst, 'Govt to spend $4.5m on union college', The Australian 28 May 1975, p.5].
Ibid
Ibid
It is important to note that in May 1975, the Whitlam Government allowed the exports of mineral sands on Fraser Island. Many, including Nobel Prize winning author Patrick White, opposed the way the Whitlam Government handled the issue. In a letter to Whitlam, White argued that 'the decision to allow mining was a travesty of the Government's professed aims on the environment.' However, sand mining on the island was banned as a result of the High Court decision which was handed down on 28 May. ['Patrick White protests to PM', The Australian, 28 May 1975, p.1].
Emy, Hughes, Mathews, op.cit. preface
Ibid.
A. Patience & B. Head, From Whitlam to Fraser: Reform and Reaction in Australian Politics. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1979, p.177.
No author, 'Govt to hand over $250,000 property to the Gurindjis', The Australian 29 May 1975, p.2. This result followed the Government's decision to hand over 3107 sq km of property in the Northern Territory to the Gurindji Aboriginals, who 'walked off Wave Hill station in 1968 and squatted near the western section at Wattle Creek, claiming ownership of the area, which they said was ancient Aboriginal tribal land.'
D. Day, Claiming a Continent: A History of Australia, Angus and Robertson 1996, p.434.u
Ibid.
Ibid.
Emy, Hughes and Mathews., op.cit., preface.
L. Oakes, Crash through or Crash: The Unmaking of a Prime Minister Victoria: Drummond 1976, p.295.