Women and Whitlam

The Whitlam Government transformed Australia. What is often overlooked, however, is the scope and scale of the reforms for Australian women.The Whitlam Government of 1972– 1975 appointed a women' s advisor to national government – a world first – and reopened the equal pay case. It extended the minimum wage for women,introduced the single mother' s benefit, ensured cheap and accessible contraception, fundedwomen' s refuges and women' s health centres, introduced accessible, no-fault divorce and theFamily Court, introduced paid maternity leave in the public service, and much more.At a time when women are once again discovering their political voice, this book brings together three generations of women – including Patricia Amphlett, Elizabeth Reid, Eva Cox, Tanya Plibersek, Heidi Norman, Blair Williams and Ranuka Tandan – to revisit the Whitlam revolution and to build on it for the future.