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Hon E.G. Whitlam, AC QC

WHITLAM, (Edward) Gough, AC 1978, QC 1962, MHR 1952-78, was Prime Minister from 5 December 1972 to 11 November 1975. Born in Melbourne on 11 July 1916, he attended primary schools in Sydney, secondary schools in Canberra and the University of Sydney (BA, LLB). He was a flight-lieutenant navigator in the Pacific War. He was admitted to the New South Wales bar in 1947.

Whitlam joined the Australian Labor Party in 1945, unsuccessfully contested the new State seat of Sutherland in 1950 and won the Federal seat of Werriwa at a by-election in November 1952. He was elected deputy leader of his party in February 1960. In February 1967 he was elected leader of his party and initiated the practice of appointing shadow ministers. He remained leader till December 1977, a record term for his party.

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