Whitlam Institute
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Copy of Scott's original design

The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a public policy institute inspired by one of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers, Gough Whitlam. It is guided by the ‘three great aims’ of the 1972 Whitlam Program: to promote equality; to involve all Australians in the decision-making processes of our land; & to liberate their talents & uplift their horizons.

 
“I do not for a moment believe that we should set limits on what we can achieve together, for our country, our people, our future.”
— Gough Whitlam, 13 November 1972
 
 
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The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a dynamic public policy institute that commemorates, and is inspired by, the life and work of the Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC.

It pursues the causes he championed and is guided by the principles upon which Gough Whitlam's parliamentary career and years of service to the people of Australia were founded.

 
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Public Policy & Research Work 

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Culture & Heritage

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Civics Education Programs

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Prime Ministerial Collection

 
 

What's happening at the Whitlam Institute? 

Join the conversation - we hold events and exhibitions throughout the year that explore and expand on our work at the Whitlam Institute.

 
Events
Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders
Apr 26
Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders

Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders explores the stories of a selection of NSW women who were leaders and trailblazers in public sector work, alongside the perspectives of women working in key public sphere roles today.

Melding past and present, this unique exhibition asks provocative questions about women, the public sphere and leadership. Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders is a new exhibition curated and produced by State Archives and Records NSW, presented at the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University from 26 April to 27 July 2018.

 
Events
Whitlam Institute Open Day
Jul 14
Whitlam Institute Open Day

You’re invited to the Whitlam Institute for a day of lectures, discussions, workshops, and a peek into the treasures of the Prime Ministerial Collection.

 

Latest Research and Publications

Guided by the legacy of Gough Whitlam, the Whitlam Institute works to ignite debate, strengthen discussion and enrich policy development in Australia.

 
 

Featured Publication

Featured Publication
Whitlam Oration: The Information That Democracy Needs
Whitlam Oration: The Information That Democracy Needs

In his Oration, Bret Walker SC spoke to “the need to require our elected representatives and especially their executive delegates in the Ministry and Cabinet, to allow us sufficient information to check them, test them, and remind them of their representative capacity…this irreducible need for information about government is not to be seen through an individualist prism: it is not a personal right, but rather an imperative of a representative, parliamentary democracy.”

Read More →

Latest Research

Featured
Gough Whitlam Oration, Parliamentary Democracy
Whitlam Oration: The Information That Democracy Needs
Gough Whitlam Oration, Parliamentary Democracy

In his Oration, Bret Walker SC spoke to “the need to require our elected representatives and especially their executive delegates in the Ministry and Cabinet, to allow us sufficient information to check them, test them, and remind them of their representative capacity…this irreducible need for information about government is not to be seen through an individualist prism: it is not a personal right, but rather an imperative of a representative, parliamentary democracy.”

Gough Whitlam Oration, Parliamentary Democracy
Indigenous Self Determination - A One Day Symposium at the Whitlam Institute

The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University and Nura Gili, UNSW Sydney hosted a one-day Symposium in February 2018. Read some of the papers and presentations, including a rallying speech by the Hon. Linda Burney MP, here.

Education for Public Good, Perspectives
Charting Uncertainty
Education for Public Good, Perspectives

In Charting Uncertainty Professor Sharon Bell sounds an alarm for universities that are missing opportunities to ‘help address those great challenges of our time and tie the higher education sector to an urgent national and global endeavour’.

Education for Public Good, Perspectives
 
 
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Support Us

There are many ways to support and contribute to the work of the Whitlam Institute, and help to continue the work of Gough Whitlam.  Donate to help us increase our impact on Australian democracy, or read and share our publications, visit us and participate in events, volunteer in our historic home, the Female Orphan School.