Parkes MP and Nationals member Mark Coulton has paid tribute to Gough Whitlam, saying the former prime minister was “one of the defining political figures of a generation”.
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Mr Whitlam, who led Labor from political wilderness to electoral victory in 1972, was controversially dismissed in 1975 and in later years was regarded as an elder statesman, died early on Tuesday.
Mr Coulton was at Parliament House on the morning the death of the 98-year-old was confirmed in a statement by his children.
The MP said it was important “we pay respect”.
“Whether you agreed with his policies or not there is no doubt Gough Whitlam has played a mayor part in the history of this country,” Mr Coulton said.
The Parkes MP reported the Parliament, in which Mr Whitlam served as a member from 1952 to 1978, would hear from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Labor leader Bill Shorten and 14 other senior members from both parties from midday.
Parliament would then be suspended for the rest of the day as a mark of respect, as would Senate estimates, in line with precedent, he said.
As current and former politicians paid tribute and the nation’s media published and broadcast images from Mr Whitlam’s years in politics, Mr Coulton recalled his own memories of the earlier era.
“Obviously I’m on the other side of politics but I think it’s very appropriate as a nation that we pay respect to someone who was a dominant figure of Australian politics and life."
- Parkes MP Mark Coulton
In 1972 Labor was swept into office to the sounds of its “It’s Time” advertising campaign after 23 years of Coalition government.
“I can remember I was a student at high school when Gough was first elected,” Mr Coulton said.
“I remember a lot of teachers wore ‘It’s Time’ T-shirts on the weekends.
“It was the first American-style campaign and there were entertainers singing the ‘It’s Time’ jingle.
“I remember feeling like something big was happening.”
Three years later the Whitlam government had instituted a number of major reforms but was facing increasing pressures.
Mr Coulton completed his Higher School Certificate against the backdrop of governor-general Sir John Kerr’s dismissal of Mr Whitlam.
“I remember coming out from an exam and the same teachers were most upset and angry,” Mr Coulton said.
“People of my generation and older have strong memories of the time.
“Gough Whitlam was one of the few people in Australia who you could use his first name only and people would know who you were talking about.
“He was larger than life.
“Obviously I’m on the other side of politics but I think it’s very appropriate as a nation that we pay respect to someone who was a dominant figure of Australian politics and life.
“Today is an opportunity for his family to see the respect the Parliament is going to show for his life.”
