Vale Gough Whitlam, a great Australian
Gough Whitlam left a unique mark on Australian history. Peter Roberts pays tribute to the 21st Prime Minister of Australia.
A great Australian Edward Gough Whitlam passed away yesterday.
He was a towering intellect, caring reformer and erudite orator of a type rarely seen in politics.
He will be remembered by Australians for a number of reforms such as universal health care which is a great underpinning of equality and social cohesion.
Industry can thank him for free university education that helped so many of us. A generation of Australians who have been instrumental in creating the economic prosperity we have enjoyed for the past two decades received their education thanks to this one move.
Manufacturing can thank him for having the guts to take on business and union vested interests and strike the first blow to dismantle protectionism that was strangling the economy and stifling technology uptake and industry innovation.
Today with a new breed of leaders and managers, we are better off than in those days of manufacturer rent-seekers, even if subsequent governments have struggled to chart a new course.
His 25 per cent tariff reduction shocked many but set the scene for later reforms that opened the economy to international competition, the basis of today’s prosperous Australia.
His life was truly a turning point in our nation’s history.
Peter Roberts has over 40 years experience as a business journalist. He is currently the convenor of the Australian Manufacturing Forum.
Peter Roberts is the editor of @AuManufacturing, a news and analysis website of the 5,000 member Australian Manufacturing Forum network of Australian manufacturers. Check the website at www.aumanufacturing.com.au.
