The social and political landscape in Australia during the 1970s was constantly changing, specifically in regard to women, Indigenous Australian, entertainment and arts. The main catalyst to these changes was the election of Gough Whitlam into government in 1972. He was the first Labour Prime Minster in 20 years but was dismissed by the Governor- General in 1975. In his first year, Gough Whitlam passed 203 bills. His attempts to improve the lives of every women in Australia, constant support of the Aboriginal community, and the endless investment in the entertainment and the arts industry, is why Gough Whitlam is known as ‘the father of modern day Australia’.
The 1970s is known as the 2nd wave for women, evident in the changes made in favour of Australian women during the time. The changes made in parliament by Gough Whitlam pathed the way for women in society today. The publishment of Germaine Greer’s book, ‘The Female Eunuch’, in 1970, propelled Australia into revaluating the role of women. The central message of The Female Eunuch was that women shouldn’t be limited by how society saw their role, staying home and bringing up children. The book enabled women to emerge from their lack of power and status, freeing up more possibilities such as wanting to continue working after marriage. Germaine Greer encouraged other women to do what they were capable of, rather than what they had been limited to by social expectations. The following year, the first major law changed was changed. Judge Levine rules that women could legally get abortions if her physical or mental health was threatened in NSW. One of the first acts of the Whitlam Government was to reopen the National Wage and Equal Pay cases. It was said that by 1975, there would be equal pay for equal value. Half a million female workers became eligible for full pay, and an overall rise in women’s wages of around 30% resulted from this case. 1975 was labelled by the United Nations as International Women’s Year. The Whitlam Government funded and supported organisations providing specialist health and welfare services for women including support for women’s health centres, refuges and crisis centres. The Whitlam Government sought to change working conditions that were unfair to women by improving workspace conditions and introducing paid maternity leave. Other changes made include the removal of tax on the contraceptive pill and making rape illegal in marriages. In 1978, The National Women’s Advisory Council was established as a new medium of communication between the Women’s Affairs Branch of the Federal Government and the wider community of women. Its members included Aboriginal, migrant, and rural women. It enabled conduct and sponsorship of a number of research projects into women’s economic circumstances.
Gough Whitlam’s 1972 election campaign speech showed his intent and vision for the improvement of Aboriginal treatment and rights that had been denied to them for so long. Before his election, on ‘Australia Day’ in 1972, the Tent Embassy took place. It was to protest the current Prime Minister’s, William McMahon, speech about rejecting the idea of an Aboriginal title to land. The tent Embassy was conducted by four Indigenous protesters setting up a beach umbrella outside of parliment house in Canberra with a sign which read ‘Aboriginal Embassy’. Supporters of the embassy grew to thousands of protesters and additional tents over the following months. It progressed to only land rights but Indigenous rights in general. Gough Whitlam had been to the embassy when he was the Opposition Leader and met with the protesters, and made the promise that Aboriginal people would be allowed land rights. In 1971, the Aboriginal flag was designed and debuted in Adelaide, and Evonne Cawley became the first Indigenous Australian to achieve success in tennis on the world stage at hr French open and Wimbledon. Achievements made in the favour of Aboriginal people by Gough Whitlam include the returning of land to Gurindji people, he funding of legal services for Aboriginal people such as the National Aboriginal Consultative Council (NACC), Aboriginal loans commission and aboriginal land fund, and the laws to improve land rights and attempt to reduce discrimination. The ceremony to officially hand back the land to the Gurindji people took place on August 16th, 1975 at Daguragu. After his speech, Whitlam made the symbolic gesture of taking some sand and pouring it into the hands of Vincent Lingiari, the leader of the protest movement. The Aboriginal Loans Commission was created to support the economic independence of indigenous people, and grant the access to the financial tools. Aboriginal Land Fund’s purpose was to grant funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations so that they could buy back traditional lands. The Whitlam Government drafted the first Commonwealth legislation to grant land rights to Aboriginal peoples. The Bill was introduced to parliament in October 1975, but the Whitlam Government was dismissed before the legislation could pass the Senate. The Racial Discrimination Act passed by the Whitlam Government also ensured that Aboriginal people could not be discriminated against with regard to their access to employment, their pay and working conditions
The 1970s showed an upcoming industry in Australia entertainment and the arts which helped shape and showcase Australia’s identity to the world. Although movies and music were still heavily influenced and dominated by America and Europe, specifically the UK, an outbreak in Australian markets was shaping the pant for international success. Acts such as Sherbet, the Skyhooks, John Paul young and Olivia Newton John embarked on oversea tours. Colour television was introduced to Australia in 1975 and by 1978, it was estimated that around 70% of households owned a colour television set. In the 70s, Australians watched more local content than ever before. The most popular music programme of the decade was Countdown. Countdown provided exposure to many up-and-coming Australian music acts. in the 1970s, what is known as 'Australian pub rock', begun with acts such as AC/DC, Cold Chisel and Midnight Oil. The American disco craze sept into Australia in the late 70s bringing along the spontaneous outfits disco themed movies such as Saturday Night Fever (1977), which sprung Aussie act, The Bee Gees, into the limelight. Gough Whitlam assured to help establish an Australian identity through the arts. He created the Australia council or the Arts and opened the National gallery of Australia. His purchase of “Blue Poles” for $1.1 million attracted a lot of controversy. Whitlam’s government also contributed to the development od FM radio and established 2JJ (known today as Triple J) specifically designed to support and connect Australian music.
To conclude, the ever-changing and significant changes and improvements in the 1970s will forever have an impact on the Australia known today from the rights to the Australian Identity. The achievements during the severing of Gough Whitlam is one of the biggest reasons behind this specifically in his dedication to improving women’s and indigenous rights and constant support of the entertainment industry and the arts.