Australia is remembering the life and legacy of former prime minister Gough Whitlam, who died aged 98.
The Australian flag is flying at half-mast over Parliament House and the day’s sitting program has been replaced with condolence motions starting at noon (AEST) with a tribute from Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
“Gough Whitlam was a giant of his time,” Abbott said.
“He united the Australian Labor Party, won two elections and seemed, in so many ways, larger than life.
“In his own party, he inspired a legion of young people to get involved in public life.”
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told a regular caucus meeting in Canberra the Labor Party had lost a legend.
“Gough Whitlam redefined our country and in doing so he changed the lives of a generation,” he said.
“His vision, his ambition, offered Australia a new sense of what it might be.
“Our country is different because of him.”
South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill said Gough Whitlam changed our nation forever.
“He passed the laws that changed our attitudes towards equality of opportunity.
“For the first time in our history we had a leader who showed us that government can use its power to improve the lives of all Australians regardless of their race, their gender, their birth or their wealth,” the Premier said.
“He instituted lasting changes to our laws governing education, health, Aboriginal people, women, refugees, the arts, the environment and divorce: freedoms which we still enjoy today.
“What were once the rights of the well-off and the entitled, Gough Whitlam made available to every Australian.
“He taught a generation the majesty of public service and inspired so many to choose this path whether the prosaic – sewering the suburbs, or the sublime, projecting Australia as a modern outward looking nation – his policy ambition was all encompassing.
“He was and remains my inspiration.”
Whitlam was the nation’s 21st prime minister and he lived during the lifetimes of all 27 other Australian prime ministers.
He established diplomatic relations with China and was the first Australian leader to visit the country.
He was also a significant figure in achieving indigenous rights and promoting education.
Whitlam died in Sydney on Tuesday morning.
“A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians,” his children Antony, Nicholas, Stephen and Catherine said in a statement.
Whitlam led Labor to its first victory in 23 years at the December 1972 election on the back of the famous “It’s Time” campaign.
He was sensationally sacked on November 11, 1975 by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
His wife Margaret died in March 2012.
Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who succeeded Whitlam, said he came to value their friendship in the years after the dismissal.
“He was far too big a man to carry any bitterness or sadness in his heart,” Mr Fraser said.
“He certainly left an indelible mark on Australian history.”
Australian Greens leader Christine Milne said Whitlam was a champion for the environment and his passion for social justice, education and the arts was legendary.
There will be a private cremation and a public memorial service at a date to be set.
The Senate suspended budget estimates hearings on Tuesday and will hear condolence speeches when it meets next week.
Parliament was suspended in 2002 on the death of former Liberal prime minister Sir John Gorton.
READ MORE: Gough Whitlam, political giant
