Whitlam 'towering' but not great: Barnett
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says Gough Whitlam was a towering figure in Australian politics but that doesn't mean he was a great prime minister.
The Liberal leader said Mr Whitlam ran a chaotic government that overspent.
"He was not able to run a competent government - I don't think anybody could suggest that," Mr Barnett said.
"He ended up with a government in chaos.
"It was a very tumultuous time. It was a time of government spending a lot of money and I think there was a fair bit of waste.
"I don't think Gough should really be remembered as a great prime minister."
In an interview with 96fm this morning, Mr Barnett revealed he had personally been saved from being sent to Vietnam under the draft.
Mr Barnett said Mr Whitlam “certainly changed Australia” during a time of “big thinking in terms of where Australia sat in the world.
“He broke the last vestiges of our colonial thinking and there were legacies like Medicare and the like, but it was also a highly controversial time,” Mr Barnett said, adding that he had been called up for conscription to the Vietnam War and had completed his medical, but was spared after Mr Whitlam came to power.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan was one of many WA Labor MPs to take to Twitter to criticise Mr Barnett.
“We have a Premier without any sensitivity or grace,” Mr McGowan tweeted.
We have a Premier without any sensitivity or grace.MM
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) October 21, 2014
“As far as I can tell the only nasty ungracious commentary on the passing of Whitlam is from the Western Australian Premier,” WA Labor shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt tweeted.
As far as I can tell the only nasty ungracious commentary on the passing of Whitlam is from the Western Australian Premier.
— Ben Wyatt MLA (@benwyatt) October 21, 2014
Shadow energy minister Bill Johnston tweeted: “Colin Barnett will be remembered as a man who changed nothing. WA will have had no reforms on any issue. He will be forgotten by history.”
Colin Barnett will be remembered as a man who changed nothing. WA will have had no reforms on any issue. He will be forgotten by history.
— Bill Johnston (@BillJohnstonMLA) October 21, 2014
The problem with Barnett's comments today is not that he annoyed Labor MP's, it's that he deliberately chose not to represent all of WA.
— Bill Johnston (@BillJohnstonMLA) October 21, 2014
Shadow finance minister Rita Saffioti tweeted: “Premier's comments on Gough Whitlam today totally inappropriate and disrespectful. Shows what type of person Barnett is.”
Premier's comments on Gough Whitlam today totally inappropriate and disrespectful. Shows what type of person Barnett is.
— Rita Saffioti (@Rita_Saffioti) October 21, 2014
But Barnett did have some kind words for the Labor leader, particularly for engaging with China and reforming education and health.
"He didn't lead his government well but he certainly painted a big new modern picture for Australia. For that he deserves his place in history," he said.
"He was physically and literally a towering figure in Australian politics.
"I think he changed our thinking and he modernised Australia but a lot of the things that he set out to do didn't really work."
McGowan praised Mr Whitlam was a true visionary.
"His legacy includes, but is not limited to, the early recognition of Aboriginal land rights, establishing universal healthcare - or Medicare as we know it - and providing free higher education," Mr McGowan said.
"He was the first leader to recognise China and establish diplomatic relations with our largest trading partner.
"Gough Whitlam ended military conscription, withdrew troops from Vietnam, introduced divorce reform and outlawed restrictive trade practices, ensuring consumer protection."
