Edward Gough Whitla1m, known as Gough Whitlam was an Australian politician and 21s prime minister.  He led the labour party into government after a long 23 years since last ruling.  Whitlam’s time abruptly ended when his government was dismissed by the Governor-General on 11 November 1975, after a some what unsuccessful leadership.
Gough Whitlam was born in Melbourne <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne> . He was educated at Sydney <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney>'s Knox Grammar School <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knox_Grammar_School> and at Canberra Grammar School <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_Grammar_School> and later studied law at which he completed after serving in the war.
In 1942 Whitlam married Margaret Dovey, and had three sons and a daughter. He joined the Australian Labor Party <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Labor_Party> in 1945 and in 1950 was a Labor candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Legislative_Assembly>. After Menzies retirement in 1966. Liberal Party leader, Harold Holt <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Holt>, led the coalition to victory in November. Gough then became Leader of the Opposition soon after.
Whitlam came to power in December 1972 on a swell of social unrest. with his government marking a peak of expectations among workers and Labour supporters. During its three years in power, the Whitlam government was responsible for a long list of legislative improvements, most of which still stand today. Such as:
-it replaced Australia's divorce laws with a new, no-fault system; acted to improve the position of women and the Aboriginal minority;
-introduced the Trade Practices Act <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Trade_Practices_Act_1974>;
-slashed tariff barriers.
-ended conscription <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Conscription>
-It also introduced Medibank <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Medicare_%28Australia%29>, now known as Medicare;
-gave independence to Papua New Guinea <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea>
-made all university education free to its recipients
- introduced needs-based federal funding for private schools
- It established community-based FM radio <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/FM_radio>
-and established diplomatic and trade relations with the People's Republic of China.

However the Whitlam government also contributed to substantial failings in his management. The economy declined, there was: -adverse balance of payments problems, -high unemployment and (by Australian standards) very high inflation. Socially Whitlam’s reputation has been distinct by his involvement in; -allowing g Indonesia <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Indonesia> to invade Portuguese Timor <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Portuguese_Timor> and later occupy the territory -Whitlam also refused to allow South Vietnamese refugees into the country following the fall of Saigon <http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Saigon> in 1975
In conclusion Whitlam's plans for increased social services, however, were in controversy with both the traditional rights of the states and declining economic prosperity.
Although Gough entered government at a somewhat unstable time, he made little contribution to post-war development and in fact he rather caused a decrease in the economy.  Though during this time he was still able to set up many legislation’s which remain till to this day.