Page 3535 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
relationship with Asia. He increased foreign aid spending, abolished the white Australia policy, improved support services for immigrants, introduced the policy of multiculturalism, took a stand against apartheid and, as Mr Rattenbury said, fought atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific. He negotiated new trade and international relations with Japan and engaged actively in the United Nations, signing a range of multilateral agreements.
He fought for equal pay for women. He funded support services for women and International Women’s Year. As I mentioned yesterday, he instituted no-fault divorce. He established the Family Court of Australia and the single mothers benefit. He appointed a women’s adviser to the Prime Minister, he established parental leave for commonwealth employees and he removed various restrictions on the oral contraceptive pill.
Economic policy was an area of some conflict and there were significant economic shocks that hit the world during the Whitlam government. But the decision he took that is often overlooked is that he began the significant dismantling of Australia’s tariff war. He cut tariffs by 25 per cent across the board in the 1973 budget. He created and passed the Trade Practices Act. He created the Industries Assistance Commission and, through that difficult economic period, provided stimulus and targeted stimulus for areas of Australia suffering high unemployment.
Mr Rattenbury mentioned that his environmental credentials were significant in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. He ratified the World Heritage convention. He introduced environmental protection legislation. He negotiated treaties to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems. He established the Australian Heritage Commission and funded heritage conservation projects. He created the Australia Council for the Arts, importantly for Canberra he established the National Gallery of Australia, and he provided stimulus and incentives for the Australian film and television industries.
For younger Australians, perhaps one of the most significant legacies is the reform of Australian radio and the introduction of Triple J. In cities policy, he saw a role, an active role, for the national government in our cities. He protected and renewed inner city suburbs. He funded urban public transport projects. He connected suburban homes to sewerage and funded improvements to suburban areas.
In defence policy—it was terrific to hear Mr Hanson acknowledge his contribution here—he made a significant change in Australia’s defence strategy. He created for the first time a unified Department of Defence, upgraded our military equipment and increased troop numbers.
But perhaps his greatest legacy is in democracy, the law and human rights, the passage of the Racial Discrimination Act, ending conscription and freeing draft resisters. He lowered the voting age. Young Australians aged 18 could vote. He enacted human rights protections through a range of international agreements. He abolished the death penalty and he enacted one vote, one value electoral reforms.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video