1916 - 2014
Former Prime Minister
Australia
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FORMER
prime minister Gough Whitlam, photographed here with the Late Lance Barnard.
Gough Whitlam died this morning aged 98, was an inspirational person who
changed the face of politics in Australia during his 3 years as Prime Minister
from 1972.
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Much
has already been said today about Gough's achievements including recognition of Aboriginal land
rights, establishment of diplomatic ties with China, universal health care,
universal access to university, no-fault divorce, the end of conscription and
withdrawal of forces from Vietnam.
At a local
Launceston level it is timely to also pause to recognize his relationship and
reliance on his loyal deputy, the Late Lance Barnard.
Lance
was born in Launceston, Tasmania 1 May 1919; Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
1972-74, Minister for Defence 1972- 75; died Melbourne 6 August 1997.
In
the fortnight in 1972, Gough and Lance became known as the "two-man
government". The two men set about
reforming public life at a pace that has never been equalled before or since.
Whitlam and Barnard divided between themselves the entire spread of ministerial
portfolios and fired off a volley of executive decisions that left Australians
gobsmacked. Next, the two-man government abolished British imperial honours
down under and replaced them with an Australian honours system. They announced
that Australia would recognize the People's Republic of China, thawing a Cold
War diplomatic freeze, banned the granting of mining leases on Aboriginal
reserves, refused entry of racially selected sporting teams to Australia and
started moves to grant independence to Papua New Guinea, Australia's northern
neighbour.
The duo's first act was to
abolish conscription to the armed forces, which the conservatives had
introduced eight years earlier to bolster Australia's controversial commitment
of troops to the Vietnam war. Then they released draft dodgers from prison and
announced that Australia's remaining soldiers in Vietnam would be brought home.
The youth of Australia applauded.
The
legacy of free universities is one that many in today's society remembers well
and without which they would not have had the opportunity for a university
education.
"It was the most interesting period of my life," Lance Barnard later said.
"This had never occurred before in the history of Australia. The public
were, I think, pleased something was being done. We were sworn in on the
Monday, on the Tuesday conscription had ended and I had arranged for national
service personnel to leave the camps as they wanted to."
After he resigned from politics,
Lance served as Ambassador to Sweden, Norway and Finland until 1978, and when
he returned home he became Manager of Eskleigh Home at Perth Tasmania to raise
funds for a much-needed redevelopment there.
Following retirement, Lance
was elected as an Alderman to Launceston City Council, still working hard for
his people here and using his contacts in Canberra to secure much-needed funds
for the city.
Lance retained the respect
of both sides of politics in his retirement, and of senior members of the
Canberra public service.
In his own unostentatious
way, he later claimed that looking after his constituents down home in Tasmania
was his most lasting achievement. "I never forgot their interests at all
times," he said.
Lionel Morrell
President Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
on behalf of
all ratepayers and residents.
1 comment:
Thankyou for this balanced recognition. It is easy to forget those important people who contributed to the undoubted success of others and content to remain outside the spotlight.
Yes Lance Barnard was an outstanding person in his own right who worked tirelessly for Launceston and his fellow mankind.
VALE to both men.
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