“The change of government provides a new opportunity for us to reassess a whole range of Autralian foreign policies and attitudes…the general direction of my thinking is towards a more independent Australian stance in international affairs, an Australia which will be less militarily-oriented and not open to suggestions of racism; an Australia which will enjoy a growing standing as a distinctive, tolerant, co-operative and well-regarded nation not only in the Asian and Pacific region, but in the world at large.”
Gough Whitlam said these words on election in 1972. Much of his work has been undone, so much so that the next labor prime minister could just about use the same speech.