History of Australia (1945–present): Difference between revisions

Elected in December 1972 after 23 years in opposition, [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] won office under [[Gough Whitlam]] and introduced a significant program of social change and reform. Whitlam said before the election: "our program has three great aims. They are – to promote equality; to involve the people of Australia in … decision making…; and to liberate the talents and uplift the horizons of the Australian people."<ref>Gough Whitlam, Bankstown Speech.13 November 1972. Cited in Sally Warhaft (Ed.) (2004) ''Well may we say… The Speeches that made Australia.'' p.178-9 Blac Inc, Melbourne. {{ISBN|978-1-86395-277-4}}</ref>

 

 

Whitlam's radical and imperious style eventually alienated many voters, and some of the state governments were openly hostile to his government. As it did not control the senate, much of its legislation was rejected or amended. The Queensland [[National Party of Australia|Country Party]] government of [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]] had particularly bad relations with the Federal government. Even after it was re-elected at [[1974 Australian federal election|elections in May 1974]], the Senate remained an obstacle to its political agenda. At the only [[Joint Sitting of the Australian Parliament of 1974|joint sitting of parliament, in August 1974]], six keys pieces of legislation wering passed.