Gough Whitlam was a prolific speaker and writer. Until a few years before his death in 2014, he continued to speak out on issues of the day.
This page contains a select list of links to speeches Whitlam has made since the 1950s. Some are relevant to the Dismissal, many are on political, constitutional and electoral issues, whilst others deal with foreign affairs and a host of other matters.
All speeches referenced in any other part of this website are listed on this page.
The video on this page is of Whitlam in 1997, an address titled “A PM on PMs”.
Whitlam Speeches
1953
- March 19, 1953: Gough Whitlam’s Maiden Speech
1969
- October 1, 1969: Whitlam’s 1969 Election Policy Speech
1972
- November 13, 1972: It’s Time: Whitlam’s 1972 Election Policy Speech
- December 20, 1972: Whitlam’s First Address To The Nation As Prime Minister
1973
- January 26, 1973: Australia Day 1973: Whitlam Announces Search For New Anthem
- July 10, 1973: Whitlam’s Address To The ALP National Conference
- July 30, 1973: Foreign Policy: Whitlam’s Washington Address
1974
- April 16, 1974: Address To The Nation: Gough Whitlam On Why The 1974 Election Was Called
- April 29, 1974: Whitlam’s 1974 Election Policy Speech
- August 6, 1974: Historic Joint Sitting Of The Australian Parliament
- August 6, 1974: Joint Sitting Of Parliament: Whitlam’s Opening Speech
1975
- April 10, 1975: Whitlam Proposes Optional Preferential Voting
- May 13, 1975: Whitlam’s Report To The Nation On CHOGM And US Visit
- July 9, 1975: Loans Affair: Special One-Day Sitting
- August 16, 1975: Gurindji Land Ceremony
- October 15, 1975: Whitlam Responds To Fraser’s Decision To Block Supply: Parliamentary Democracy Is Under Challenge
- November 11, 1975: Gough Whitlam’s Post-Dismissal Press Conference
- November 24, 1975: Whitlam’s 1975 Election Policy Speech
1976
- September 9, 1976: The Death Of Chairman Mao Tse-Tung
1977
- November 17, 1977: Whitlam’s 1977 Election Policy Speech
- November 28, 1977: 1977 Federal Election: Whitlam Addresses ALP Election Rally At Moorabbin Town Hall
- December 10, 1977: Whitlam Concedes Defeat, Resigns Leadership
1978
1979
- February 8, 1979: Whitlam Launches “The Truth Of The Matter”
1980
- July 4, 1980: Whitlam And McClelland Speak At NSW Labor Lawyers Dinner
1985
- November 11, 1985: Whitlam Addresses The National Press Club On The Dismissal’s 10th Anniversary
- November 15, 1985: Future Directions For Reform In Australia
1990
- July 30, 1990: Centenary Of Arbor Day
1994
- November 11, 1994: Australia Needs A New Flag
1995
- November 8, 1995: Whitlam: The Coup Twenty Years After
- November 11, 1995: Twentieth Anniversary: Maintain Your Rage And Enthusiasm
- November 11, 1995: 20 Years On: Four Corners Remembers The Dismissal
1997
- February 9, 1997: Whitlam’s Address At The Opening Of The Trade Union Education Foundation
- July 8, 1997: Whitlam Comments On Barwick’s Letter To Kerr
- July 25, 1997: Whitlam Address To Murdoch University Student Law Society
- August 15, 1997: Gough Whitlam’s Eulogy For Lance Barnard: “My Oldest And Best Mate”
- December 3, 1997: Whitlam: A PM On PMs
2000
- May 24, 2000: That Politicians Have Lost Their Sense Of Humour
- November 11, 2000: Opening The Dismissal Exhibition: Speech By Gough Whitlam
- November 11, 2000: Constitutional Changes After 1975
2001
- May 8, 2001: Centenary Of ALP Caucus 1901-2001: Whitlam Speech
2002
- July 11, 2002: Birthday Boy Proposes Major ALP Reforms
- December 2, 2002: The Relevance Of The Whitlam Government Today
2003
- June 30, 2003: Maintain the Rag, A Celebration of the Whitlam Years
2004
- July 24, 2004: Whitlam’s Message To The Liberal Party’s Killen Dinner
- August 6, 2004: Joint Sitting 30th Anniversary
2005
2007
- January 19, 2007: Gough Whitlam’s Eulogy For Sir James Killen
- April 28, 2007: Gough and Margaret Whitlam Awarded ALP National Life Membership
2012
- August 26, 2012: Whitlam Comments On Hocking’s Biography
