John Gorton, larrikin PM, dead at 90: [2 Edition]
John Stapleton, Don Greenlees. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 20 May 2002: 1.
John Stapleton, Don Greenlees. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 20 May 2002: 1.
Abstract
After a tumultuous period of leadership he was challenged by Billy McMahon and both men drew equal votes in the party room ballot. Sir John voted against himself and consequently out of the prime ministership. In 1975, he resigned from the party in protest at Malcolm Fraser becoming leader.
While Mr [John Howard] and Sir John were not always close, that changed recently. Mr Howard visited Sir John in hospital where they shared a cup of tea less than three weeks ago. In a recent speech Mr Howard paid tribute to Sir John’s “sacrifice and gallantry”.
Liberal Party treasurer Malcolm Turnbull said: “Despite his differences at times with the Liberal Party, he was a very great Liberal and represented all the finest traditions of Australian liberalism.”
Full Text
JOHN Gorton, who became Australia’s 19th prime minister by accident and voted himself out of office three years later, has died aged 90.
The Oxford-educated, World War II fighter pilot who went on to become an unconventional Liberal leader, was surrounded by family when he died from respiratory failure in a Sydney hospice at 7.30 last night.
Sir John, prime minister from 1968 to 1971, had a number of spells in hospital recently, and was admitted to St Vincent’s hospice a few days ago.
A statement issued by his wife, Nancy, said Sir John had been able to see all his children and grandchildren and extended family before his death.
John Howard was informed of Sir John’s death on his way to independence celebrations in East Timor.
The colourful prime minister, who suffered severe facial injuries when his plane crashed fighting the Japanese in Singapore in 1942, was acclaimed as a Liberal moderniser, a nationalist and in many ways a precursor to Whitlamism.
Sir John, a strong believer in education, a staunch supporter of welfare and a promoter of women’s rights, upset many of his conservative colleagues.
After a tumultuous period of leadership he was challenged by Billy McMahon and both men drew equal votes in the party room ballot. Sir John voted against himself and consequently out of the prime ministership. In 1975, he resigned from the party in protest at Malcolm Fraser becoming leader.
Sir John was born out of wedlock in a time when being illegitimate carried great shame, but he never let the stigma affect him.
His eccentricity was evident during his leadership. He admitted liking a drink and having several extramarital affairs, including one during his time as prime minister.
Sir John also made some unconventional decisions, none more so than the appointment of the 22-year-old Ainsley Gotto as his principal private secretary. Such a young, and female, adviser at the time caused a scandal.
Last night Ms Gotto told The Australian: “Today Australia has lost a great Australian, and I have lost a very old and very dear friend.”
While eclipsed by the dramatic reign of Gough Whitlam and ignored for many years, his place in history has been undergoing a reassessment with the publication of a new biography. He was also recently welcomed back into the Liberal Party fold.
While Mr Howard and Sir John were not always close, that changed recently. Mr Howard visited Sir John in hospital where they shared a cup of tea less than three weeks ago. In a recent speech Mr Howard paid tribute to Sir John’s “sacrifice and gallantry”.
“He was, in every sense of the word, the genuine article as far as a dinkum Australian was concerned. He was direct. He was laconic. He had at all times a clear and passionate view of what the national interest was … he was a passionate nationalist above everything else.”
In recent months his health deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital, suffering a number of problems including pneumonia, in late April.
His biographer Ian Hancock last night said Sir John was “informal in style, a bit of a knock-about bloke who liked a drink, liked women. A bit of a larrikin. But underneath was someone very sensitive and committed to Australia.”
Liberal Party treasurer Malcolm Turnbull said: “Despite his differences at times with the Liberal Party, he was a very great Liberal and represented all the finest traditions of Australian liberalism.”
Sir John is survived by his second wife Nancy, his sister Ruth Jardine, his daughter Joanna, sons Michael and Robin, 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
JOHN Gorton, who became Australia’s 19th prime minister by accident and voted himself out of office three years later, has died aged 90.
The Oxford-educated, World War II fighter pilot who went on to become an unconventional Liberal leader, was surrounded by family when he died from respiratory failure in a Sydney hospice at 7.30 last night.
Sir John, prime minister from 1968 to 1971, had a number of spells in hospital recently, and was admitted to St Vincent’s hospice a few days ago.
A statement issued by his wife, Nancy, said Sir John had been able to see all his children and grandchildren and extended family before his death.
John Howard was informed of Sir John’s death on his way to independence celebrations in East Timor.
The colourful prime minister, who suffered severe facial injuries when his plane crashed fighting the Japanese in Singapore in 1942, was acclaimed as a Liberal moderniser, a nationalist and in many ways a precursor to Whitlamism.
Sir John, a strong believer in education, a staunch supporter of welfare and a promoter of women’s rights, upset many of his conservative colleagues.
After a tumultuous period of leadership he was challenged by Billy McMahon and both men drew equal votes in the party room ballot. Sir John voted against himself and consequently out of the prime ministership. In 1975, he resigned from the party in protest at Malcolm Fraser becoming leader.
Sir John was born out of wedlock in a time when being illegitimate carried great shame, but he never let the stigma affect him.
His eccentricity was evident during his leadership. He admitted liking a drink and having several extramarital affairs, including one during his time as prime minister.
Sir John also made some unconventional decisions, none more so than the appointment of the 22-year-old Ainsley Gotto as his principal private secretary. Such a young, and female, adviser at the time caused a scandal.
Last night Ms Gotto told The Australian: “Today Australia has lost a great Australian, and I have lost a very old and very dear friend.”
While eclipsed by the dramatic reign of Gough Whitlam and ignored for many years, his place in history has been undergoing a reassessment with the publication of a new biography. He was also recently welcomed back into the Liberal Party fold.
While Mr Howard and Sir John were not always close, that changed recently. Mr Howard visited Sir John in hospital where they shared a cup of tea less than three weeks ago. In a recent speech Mr Howard paid tribute to Sir John’s “sacrifice and gallantry”.
“He was, in every sense of the word, the genuine article as far as a dinkum Australian was concerned. He was direct. He was laconic. He had at all times a clear and passionate view of what the national interest was … he was a passionate nationalist above everything else.”
In recent months his health deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital, suffering a number of problems including pneumonia, in late April.
His biographer Ian Hancock last night said Sir John was “informal in style, a bit of a knock-about bloke who liked a drink, liked women. A bit of a larrikin. But underneath was someone very sensitive and committed to Australia.”
Liberal Party treasurer Malcolm Turnbull said: “Despite his differences at times with the Liberal Party, he was a very great Liberal and represented all the finest traditions of Australian liberalism.”
Sir John is survived by his second wife Nancy, his sister Ruth Jardine, his daughter Joanna, sons Michael and Robin, 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.