His children Antony, Nicholas and Stephen Whitlam and Catherine Dovey issued the statement Tuesday morning. 

"Our father, Gough Whitlam, has died this morning at the age of 98," the statement said. "A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians."

There will be a private cremation and a public memorial service. 

LOCAL REACTION:

The President of the Wellington branch of the ALP says former prime minister Gough Whitlam will be remembered as a great leader. ‘’He was responsible for free education which really helped a battling town like Wellington’’ Leo Dawson said.

‘’He also brought the troops back straight away from Vietnam. I met him a couple of times he was aloof but always engaging and interesting, there is no modern day leader like him. Charismatic’’ he said.

The elder statesman’s wife Margaret’s father Justice Dovey was born at Bathurst but spent a lot of time in Wellington according to Mr Dawson.