Labor unveils plan to celebrate Whitlam

Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam will be commemorated in the heart of Sydney if a plan by Labor Councillor Linda Scott is approved.

A plaque, signage or statue honouring Mr Whitlam would be installed at the intersection of College St, Liverpool St, Oxford St and Wentworth Ave under the plan, which could also see the precinct revamped by way of an international design competition.

While the intersection is already officially known as Whitlam Square, Ms Scott said few Sydneysiders were aware of its existence.

“Many or most people aren’t aware of that fact,” said Ms Scott.

“It’s appropriate that there be some explicit acknowledgment of Mr Whitlam in this place, which already bears his name, and which is adjacent to Hyde Park, where he gave a number of important speeches.”

Ms Scott said she would put forward a Notice of Motion at an upcoming City of Sydney Council meeting, urging the City to honour Mr Whitlam at the square “which currently has no official signage or commemoration of its name”.

Noting the intersection’s windswept reputation, Ms Scott added: “There may be some way to improve the square and mitigate the strong winds funnelled in by the surrounding buildings.

“The whole square could do with a redesign … Experience tells us that an international design competition is the best way to go about these things.”

Ms Scott said she hoped her proposal would be passed unanimously by Council.

Early indications suggest the Clover Moore Independent Team – which comprises five of the ten councillors – would support some form of recognition for Mr Whitlam.

“Whitlam Square is a tribute to Australia’s 21st Prime Minister, and signage to acknowledge that would be fitting,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

However, the Lord Mayor said redesigning the square would be challenging.

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas said she would “consider” the proposal but would need more information before deciding.

Greens Councillor Irene Doutney enthusiastically supported Ms Scott’s plan, hailing Mr Whitlam as “a great Australian”.

“Signage at the very least is appropriate,” she said. “And it’s easily done – we could do it without blinking.”

But the plan met with scorn from Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla.

“Linda Scott keeps harping on at Council meetings about the so-called great Labor leaders, and it needs to stop,” said Mr Mandla.

“The last time she did it [referring to former Prime Minister Keating’s ‘Redfern Speech’] I warned her that I might start quoting Menzies at Council meetings.”

Despite a track record of criticising the Lord Mayor, Mr Mandla said he would rather “100 statues of Clover Moore than one of Whitlam”.

“She’s done more for the gay community in that area than anyone else – if we’ve got to have plaques or statues of politicians littering the place, let them be of Clover,” he said.

Mr Mandla’s Liberal colleague, Cr Christine Forster, also opposed the plan but was more temperate in her response.

“I don’t really see the need for any signage or commemoration,” she said.

“I believe most people already know of the existence of Whitlam Square … I often hear people talk about ‘Oxford Street between Whitlam Square and Taylor Square’.”

96-year-old Mr Whitlam, who now resides at a nursing home in Sydney’s Inner East, could not be reached for comment.

Mr Whitlam was Prime Minister from December 1972 to November 1975, and remains one of Australia’s most revered and reviled politicians.

Arguably the most socially progressive Prime Minister in Australia’s history, Mr Whitlam’s legacy includes universal health care, government-subsidised tertiary education, legal aid, stronger relations with Asia, the end of military conscription and the abolition of the death penalty for federal offences.

However, his government was beset by financial scandals, culminating in Australia’s greatest constitutional crisis, when he was sacked by former Governor-General Sir John Kerr.

The circumstances surrounding ‘The Dismissal’ remain controversial, with rumours of US Government interference and CIA involvement persisting to this day.