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March 17th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda Margaret Whitlam inspired generations of Australian women and has the affection of the nation, says Multicultural Affairs Minister Kate Lundy.
Mrs Whitlam, the wife of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, died aged 92 in Sydney’s St Vincent’s Private Hospital on Saturday morning.
Senator Lundy said she was an extraordinary woman who displayed great strength.
“Margaret Whitlam has the affection of this nation,” Senator Lundy said in Melbourne on Saturday.
“She was an extraordinary woman, and in the contact I’ve had with her she was so strong and inspiring, and I think she has inspired many generations of Australian women.
“I think she’ll be sorely missed.”
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said Mrs Whitlam would be deeply missed.
“Today Australia lost one of our greatest, Mr Rudd tweeted.
“Margaret Whitlam. Inspirational. And we hoped indestructible. We miss her deeply. KRudd.”
Former NSW premier Kristina Keneally tweeted: “A great woman, a great life lived: Margaret Whitlam.”
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell hailed Mrs Whitlam as the first political spouse to voice her opinions while her husband was prime minister.
Mr O’Farrell said the passing of such a great Australian is a loss to the nation and offered his condolences to Mr Whitlam, their four children, family and friends.
“Mrs Whitlam reshaped the role of the political spouse enabling those who followed her greater choice about how they carry out their duties,” he said in a statement.
“As Premier of NSW, home to Australia’s leading arts companies, I’m especially grateful for Mrs Whitlam’s interest and promotion of the arts.”
Mr Rudd’s daughter Jessica Rudd said she already missed Mrs Whitlam.
“It sounds daft, but I didn’t think we could lose Margaret Whitlam. The cheekiness of youth never left her eyes. Missing her laugh already,” she tweeted.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said Mrs Whitlam was a pioneer for Australian women.
She said it is terribly sad news and offered her condolences to the family.
“Mrs Whitlam was a trail blazer and modern women have a lot to thank her for,” Ms Bligh told reporters in Brisbane.
“There are many young women now in Australia who enjoy opportunities and rights that their mothers and grandmothers didn’t have and much of that is due to the work of women like Margaret Whitlam,” she told reporters in Brisbane.
“She talked about a lot of issues, women’s rights, when it wasn’t easy or popular to do so.
“She is a great Australian, a great Australian woman and a pioneer for the rights of Australian women.”
Former Labor politician and journalist Maxine McKew described Mrs Whitlam as a pioneer.
Ms McKew said she took to the role of first lady “with flair and distinction.”
“She will remembered … for her remarkable marriage,” Ms McKew told ABC Television, adding that it was a partnership of equals.
“Many Australian women will remember in particular an extraordinary figure who was so generous and reinterpreted what it meant to be a prime minister’s wife and a woman in your own right and to argue on behalf of others for the equality of women.”
Feminist icon and magazine editor Ita Buttrose was a neighbour to the Whitlams in Sydney for many years.
“Margaret was witty, well informed and interested in everybody,” she told ABC TV.
Ms Buttrose said Mrs Whitlam used to make the best Bloody Marys.
“She was the first prime minister’s wife to have a public profile,” she said.
“It was a breathe of fresh air when her and Gough hit Canberra.”
Ms Buttrose said Mrs Whitlam led by example and encouraged woman to have a voice.
She used to pen a magazine column in Woman’s Day and had an interview show on television.
“There was nothing that Margaret didn’t have a go at,” Ms Buttrose said.
“That was unheard of as a woman in her generation.”
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said Mrs Whitlam inspired Australian women to become more involved in their communities.
“Margaret Whitlam was an extraordinary Australian who was a proud champion of our nation, who reached out to all parts of the community, and encouraged a generation of women to be actively involved in community life,” he said in a statement.
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson says the Labor party is forever indebted to Mrs Whitlam.
He described her as a warm, sharp and spirited woman whose “extraordinary contribution” to Labor made the party stronger.
“On behalf of the NSW Labor Party, it is with immense sadness that I observe the passing this morning of Margaret Elaine Whitlam, aged 92,” Mr Robertson said in a statement.
“Warm, sharp and spirited, Margaret was a great Australian and an inspirational woman.
“As first lady of Australia from 1972 to 1975, Margaret Whitlam was a larger than life presence in the Lodge. She was seldom afraid to speak her mind and she spoke it with elan and wit.”
Margaret and Gough Whitlam were the first-ever national life membership holders of the Australian Labor Party.
“In so many ways, Margaret Whitlam forever redefined the perception of women in Australian public life. With her passion for the arts and energetic advocacy on behalf of women, she was a towering personality at a time of great transformation for our country,” he said.
Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann has hailed Mrs Whitlam as former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s wisest counsel.
“She was the calm and grounded, soothing presence during tumultuous times; in victory and defeat, in triumph and despair,” Mr Rann said in a statement.
“She was Gough’s lighthouse and safe harbour.
“His wisest counsel, mentor to so many, inspiration to thousands of Australian women.”
Mr Rann also recounted a time travelling with the Whitlams on the first journey of the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin.
“They loved it,” Mr Rann said.
“Margaret cared for and lovingly teased Gough as he held court imperiously, talking about history and, with (former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader) Tim Fischer, about railway gauges.”
Labor senator John Faulkner, chairman of the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), said she would be remembered with great fondness and warmth.
“Margaret Whitlam was a woman of great intellect, wit and integrity; a true servant of the Australian people,” he said in a statement.
“She has been a most gracious friend and generous supporter of the Whitlam Institute.”
Vice-chancellor of UWS Janice Reid said the university had few better friends.
“We will miss her. We will miss her terribly,” Professor Reid said.
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