Edward Gough Whitlam was the 21st prime minister of Australia, serving from 1972 to 1975. He held office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), of which he was the longest-serving. He was notable for being the head of a reformist and socially progressive administration that ended with his removal as prime minister after controversially being dismissed by the governor-general of Australia, Sir John Kerr, at the climax of the 1975 constitutional crisis. Whitlam is the only Australian prime minister to have been removed from office by the governor-general.
Official portrait, 1972
"Ngara", Whitlam's birthplace (now demolished)
Photograph of Whitlam and attestation paper from his RAAF officer personnel file dated 1942
Gough Whitlam in Cooktown, Queensland, in 1944
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Government. Before the establishment of the order, Australian citizens received British honours.
King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) wearing the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia, 1983
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the insignia of the Sovereign of the Order of Australia