Malcolm Fraser to deliver 2012 Whitlam Institute Gough Whitlam Oration

The Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney is delighted to announce that The Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH will deliver the 2012 Gough Whitlam Oration on the evening of June 6.

Eric Sidoti, Director of the Whitlam Institute, says Mr Fraser's Gough Whitlam Oration will be a momentous occasion for the people of Western Sydney, and indeed for all Australians.

"Rarely in Australia's history have the public lives of two giants of the political stage been so intertwined as those of Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser. Though potent political adversaries, they proved capable of acting in common on substantial matters of public policy; indeed, to such an extent that key elements of the Whitlam legislative program depended on Malcolm Fraser's support from Opposition and his commitment to promoting Gough Whitlam's unfinished legislative business when in Government. In no field was this more evident than in their shared commitment to human rights."

"It seems fitting to be making this announcement on the eve of International Human Rights Day this Saturday 10 December."

"When I rang Gough to let him know that Mr Fraser had accepted our invitation to deliver the 2012 Gough Whitlam Oration, his response was characteristically precise and unequivocal: 'That's bloody good' he said 'Bloody good.'"

The Whitlam Institute 2012 Gough Whitlam Oration will be a unique opportunity for the community to hear Mr Fraser deliver a major public address in the heart of Greater Western Sydney.

Information about ticketing will be made available in 2012. To keep up to date with announcements about the 2012 Gough Whitlam Oration subscribe to the Whitlam Institute's "It's Time" e-magazine by visiting www.whitlam.org or by emailing info@whitlam.org

Eric Sidoti, Director of the Whitlam Institute is available for comment.

Ends

7 December 2011

Contact: Amy Sambrooke, Communications Coordinator, Whitlam Institute

 a.sambrooke@uws.edu.au, 0450 920 986 or 02 9685 9072