This 22-minute compilation contains radio segments broadcast on the ABC’s “PM” program on November 27, 28 & 29, 1972.
The election that would bring Whitlam to office was less than a week away. [Read more…]
Archives for November 1972
It Is Time For A Change: The Australian’s First Editorial Supporting A Change Of Government
Nov 25, 1972
On November 25, 1972, The Australian newspaper published the first of two front-page editorials advocating a change of government and the election of Gough Whitlam and the ALP.
The editorial appeared alongside a report of the Liberal Prime Minister, William McMahon, criticising his Cabinet for its slowness and lack of political judgement.
Describing the poll as “the most crucial Federal election of our time”, the Murdoch-owned newspaper said: “This may be our last chance for some time to opt for a bold leap forward in this country’s development.”
Whilst critical of some aspects of Whitlam’s platform, the paper said: “It is time we had a new sense of national identity and national purpose to carry us forward into our challenging and newly expanding future… The best thing that can happen to Australia a week today will be a change of government.”
Editorial in The Australian, November 25, 1972.
It’s Time: Whitlam’s 1972 Election Policy Speech
Nov 13, 1972
The policy speech delivered by Gough Whitlam for the 1972 Federal elections is one of the few such speeches that are remembered decades on. In it, Whitlam set out the “program” he intended to implement in government.
The speech began a tradition of Whitlam commencing with the words first used by Prime Minister John Curtin (1941-45): “Men and women of Australia!”
- Listen to the opening words of Whitlam’s 1972 Policy Speech
- Listen to highlights of the speech (10m)
- Listen to the speech in full as broadcast (30m)
- Download a 1972 booklet containing the policy speech (PDF – Whitlam Institute)
- Download the “podium version” of Whitlam’s policy speech (PDF – Whitlam Institute)
- Watch the complete speech (30m)
This is the Policy Speech for the Australian Labor Party, delivered by Gough Whitlam, at the Blacktown Civic Centre, in Sydney, on November 13, 1972.
Men and Women of Australia!
The decision we will make for our country on 2 December is a choice between the past and the future, between the habits and fears of the past, and the demands and opportunities of the future. There are moments in history when the whole fate and future of nations can be decided by a single decision. For Australia, this is such a time. It’s time for a new team, a new program, a new drive for equality of opportunities: it’s time to create new opportunities for Australians, time for a new vision of what we can achieve in this generation for our nation and the region in which we live. It’s time for a new government – a Labor Government. [Read more…]
It’s Time: Audio, Video And Lyrics
Nov 13, 1972
“It’s Time” is arguably the most famous political slogan in Australian political history.
The slogan encapsulated the political mood of 1972, even amongst non-Labor supporters. “It’s time for a change” seemed to be the prevailing mood after 23 years of coalition government which began in 1949 under Robert Menzies.
The slogan was also made into a song, the lyrics of which are shown below. [Read more…]
When Labor Speaks, Who’s Really Talking?
Nov 13, 1972
It seems ridiculous now but the union bogeyman in 1972 was Bob Hawke.
Not so much a faceless man, as the man behind the mask.
This ad appeared in The Australian on November 13, 1972.
