Australians will mourn the loss of Margaret Whitlam regardless of their politics, says prominent Liberal Eric Abetz.
“Any political spouse plays a very important role,” the opposition’s Senate leader told ABC Television on Saturday.
“That role is of course so much more important when you are the spouse of the prime minister and Mrs Whitlam clearly played a very important part and role in our nation’s history.
“I think all Australians, irrespective of their political affiliation, will mourn the loss of Mrs Whitlam and would want to send their sympathies to Gough and the children.”
Mrs Whitlam died early on Saturday morning aged 92. She had been in hospital since suffering a fall at home in Sydney last month.
Senator Abetz said Mrs Whitlam was very much an individual in her own right.
“She, of course, had a career early on in life as an excellent swimmer but she then went to involve herself in a whole lot of causes while she was the prime minister’s wife and then afterwards, as well.
“Hers has been a life of contributing to our nation’s well being and people will salute her for that.”
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