Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 54 minutes ago
Troy Bramston’s new biography examines Gough Whitlam, charismatic, reform-minded, and determined to modernise Australia, while also charting the self-belief, mistakes, misjudgements and blind spots that contributed to his downfall.
Drawing on newly discovered archives and more than a hundred interviews, the book traces Whitlam’s family and education, wartime service and legal career, rise through Labor, leadership and prime ministership, and life after politics. As the first full biography since his death in 2014, it offers an unsentimental assessment of his achievements and failures, including what Australia gained and lost under his leadership, and provides a timely reappraisal fifty years after the Dismissal.
Join us for the Sydney launch of his book. Mr Bramston will be interviewed on stage by the Lowy Institute’s David Dutton, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Troy Bramston’s new biography examines Gough Whitlam, charismatic, reform-minded, and determined to modernise Australia, while also charting the self-belief, mistakes, misjudgements and blind spots that contributed to his downfall.
Drawing on newly discovered archives and more than a hundred interviews, the book traces Whitlam’s family and education, wartime service and legal career, rise through Labor, leadership and prime ministership, and life after politics. As the first full biography since his death in 2014, it offers an unsentimental assessment of his achievements and failures, including what Australia gained and lost under his leadership, and provides a timely reappraisal fifty years after the Dismissal.
Join us for the Sydney launch of his book. Mr Bramston will be interviewed on stage by the Lowy Institute’s David Dutton, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
