Gough Whitlam Quotes

• Australia's treatment of her Aboriginal people will be the thing on which the world will judge Australia and Australians - Not just now, but in the greater perspective of history.

  Gough Whitlam

  Australia, People, Perspective

  27 Copy quote

• The punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race.

  Gough Whitlam

  Running, Horse, Memorable

  London Daily Telegraph, October 19, 1989.

  92 Copy quote

• Well may we say 'God save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General'.

  Gough Whitlam

  Queens, May, Wells

  1975 On the Governor-General Sir John Kerr's action in dissolving the Australian Parliament,11 Nov. Whit l am lost the subsequent election.

  33 Copy quote

• I've never said I'm immortal. I do believe in correct language. I'm eternal; I'm not immortal.

  Gough Whitlam

  Believe, Language, Said

  "Federal Parliament suspended in a sign of respect for Gough Whitlam". "The World Today", www.abc.net.au. October 21, 2014.

  30 Copy quote

• Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste. We are all diminished when any of us are denied proper education. The nation is the poorer - a poorer economy, a poorer civilization, because of this human and national waste.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, Civilization, Waste

  36 Copy quote

• When Sir Winton Turnbull [who represented a large rural seat], a slow and sometimes stumbling speaker, was raving and ranting on the adjournment and shouted: "I am a Country member." I interjected "I remember." Sir Winton could not understand why, for the first time in all the years he had been speaking in the House, there was instant and loud applause from both sides.

  Gough Whitlam

  Country, Years, House

  Gough Whitlam's speech during a debate at the Sydney Town Hall, May 24, 2000.

  37 Copy quote

• A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.

  Gough Whitlam

  Optimistic, Government, Expectations

  "The Whitlam Government, 1972-1975". Book by Gough Whitlam, 1985.

  24 Copy quote

• She was a remarkable person and the love of my life.

  Gough Whitlam

  Love, Remarkable, Persons

  54 Copy quote

• I was profoundly embarrassed by it [the White Australia Policy] and did all I could to change it.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, White, Australia

  "100 Years: The Australian Story". Book by Paul Kelly (p. 196), 2001.

  18 Copy quote

• Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands this piece of the earth itself as a sign that we restore them to you and your children forever.

  Gough Whitlam

  Children, Memorable, Hands

  Gough Whitlam's Gurindji Land Ceremony speech, August 16, 1975.

  18 Copy quote

• It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.

  Gough Whitlam

  Political, Firsts, First Time

  22 Copy quote

• Conscription is an impediment to achieving the forces Australia needs. It is an alibi for failing to give proper conditions to regular soldiers. We will abolish conscription forthwith. By abolishing it, Australia will achieve a better army, a better-paid army - and a better, united society.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, Army, Australia

  19 Copy quote

• Hostility towards China distorted Australia's international affairs for 20 years until 1972, but reconciliation with China 30 years ago had produced a quarter century of constructive bipartisan relations with our region and the world, unmatched in Australian history.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, Years, Australia

  22 Copy quote

• I have more influence now than when I had the power.

  Gough Whitlam

  Leadership, Memorable, Power

  "Biography / Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

  12 Copy quote

• Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say 'God Save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General. The proclamation you have just heard was countersigned Malcolm Fraser, who will go down in history as Kerr's cur.

  Gough Whitlam

  Queens, Memorable, Gentleman

  15 Copy quote

• Maintain your rage and enthusiasm for the campaign for the election now to be held and until polling day.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, Enthusiasm, Campaigns

  "Biography/Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

  12 Copy quote

• He reveals that he has been a poor politician, a bad judge and a malevolent individual.

  Gough Whitlam

  Judging, Political, Politician

  "Abiding Interests". Book by Gough Whitlam (p. 44), 1997.

  19 Copy quote

• He is lofty, and I am eminent.

  Gough Whitlam

  Memorable, Political, Lofty

  14 Copy quote

• My great objective as a parliamentarian was to dramatise the deficiencies and devise practical government programs to deal with them. It was a cause that went to the heart of our way of life.

  Gough Whitlam

  Heart, Memorable, Government

  10 Copy quote

• If I begin my book with a review of the coup, it is only to show that my abiding interests for Australia did not end with it. They shall end only with a long and fortunate life.

  Gough Whitlam

  Book, Australia, Long

  "Abiding Interests". Book by Gough Whitlam (Foreword), 1997.

  18 Copy quote

• I'm the only P.M. of which that can be said - 'His legislation was never declared invalid in the High Court.'

  Gough Whitlam

  Legislation, Court, Said

  17 Copy quote

• She was a remarkable person and the love of my life. We were married for almost 70 years. She encouraged and sustained me and our four children, their families and many other people in a life full of engagement with Australians from all walks of life.

  Gough Whitlam

  Love, Children, Years

  15 Copy quote

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