1972 FEDERAL ELECTION

PARTY LEADERS
LIBERAL/COUNTRY COALITION

LABOR PARTY

William McMahon

Gough Whitlam

Current Prime Minister

Current Opposition Leader

ISSUES
Both parties political campaigns dealt with issues of the Vietnam War and
domestic policy
Economic prosperity in the post WWII era (1950s & 1960s) raised many
issues.
Urban development, education and healthcare
Traditionally, these issues had been handled at a state level rather than
federal.
Whitlam, however, was creating policies designed to deal with problems
of urban and regional development using the financial powers granted to
the federal government under the Australian Constitution.

 As Whitlam put it, Labor focused on "cities, schools and

hospitals", and these issues were electorally appealing
especially to the young and growing baby boomer
generation living in the outer suburbs of the major
cities.

 By contrast, Coalition policies of conservative economic

management, increasing trade, and Australian involvement in
the Vietnam War disengaged a significant number of Australian
voters.
We will look into responses to Vietnam and its impact on
Australian society in the next few weeks.
In 1971, Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam visited China. The
Coalition heavily criticised the visit. The criticism soon became
an embarrassment when US President Richard
Nixon announced he would visit China the following year.

V FOR VICTORY?

Prime Minister William McMahon

signals V for Victory after casting
his vote .

9 SEAT WIN
On 2 December 1972,
Gough Whitlam and the
Labor party won the
federal election by 9
seats.
Ended 23 years of
Liberal-Country Coalition
rule.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WHITLAM GOVT?

Whitlam was eager to make long term reforms.
It struggled however against a lack of experience in the cabinet.
1973 oil crisis.
Members of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting
Countries proclaimed an embargo
Oil rose from US$3 to US$12 globally.
1973-75 recession.
High unemployment coincided with high inflation.

 Senate was hostile to Whitlam.

Coalition and Democratic Labor parties held more seats than
the ALP.
They caused problems with the passing of reforms and
policies.

Why might this have created issues?