Whitlam Government (1972-75)

The Whitlam Government, led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam from 1972 to 1975, was a transformative period in Australian history. It marked the first time the Australian Labor Party had been in power since 1949. Whitlam’s government implemented significant reforms, including free healthcare through Medibank, increased education funding, and initiatives for Indigenous rights. However, it faced economic challenges and political opposition, culminating in a constitutional crisis in 1975 when the Governor-General dismissed Whitlam. The subsequent election brought the Liberal Party back to power, ending a government noted for its ambitious policy changes and contentious legacy.