Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has died today.  His children Antony, Nicholas and Stephen Whitlam and Catherine Dovey issued a statement this morning (Tuesday Oct 21st).

"Our father, Gough Whitlam, has died this morning at the age of 98, A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott led the tributes.  In a statement he said, "Gough Whitlam was a giant of his time. He united the Australian Labor Party, won two elections and seemed, in so many ways, larger than life. In his own party, he inspired a legion of young people to get involved in public life."

Mr Abbott also paid tribute to the contribution of the late Margaret Whitlam. "Gough Whitlam's life was inseparable from that of Margaret Whitlam. She was a leading light for women of her generation. Together they made a difference to our country. On this day we honour a life of service to our country."

Former Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard honoured Mr Whitlam in her Guardian Blog, "as a man of the highest political courage" and "a giant of his era. Gough will live always in our nation, which he transformed throughout his long public life".

Former Labor Prime Minister Ruddock paid his respects to Mr Whitlam by saying that amongst former prime minsters, Gough Whitlam was the "most aware of Australia's cultural diversity.  

I liked Gough Whitlam, he was a gentleman who believed in what he believed but it didn't interfere with the personal relationships. I think he was very dignified, given the way the dismissal occurred...he added great colour and lustre to Australia and he will be sorely missed."

Whitlam was first elected to Parliament in 1952, representing Werriwa in the House of Representatives. He became Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in 1960, and in 1967, after the retirement of Arthur Calwell, he was elected party leader and became the Leader of the Opposition.

He narrowly lost the 1969 election but led Labor to victory at the 1972 election after 23 years of continuous Liberal-Country Coalition Government.  As a result of the Opposition-controlled Senate delaying passage of laws, Whitlam called a double-dissolution election in 1974 which he went on to win.

However, the Opposition continued to control the Senate, and fuelled by government scandals and a flagging economy, began to challenge Whitlam again. In late 1975, the Senate prevented the progress of appropriation bills, thus denying the Government supply.

Whitlam refused to back down, arguing that his elected Government was being held to ransom by the Senate.

The crisis ended on 11 November, when Governor-General Sir John Kerr controversially dismissed Whitlam and commissioned Opposition Leader Malcolm Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister. Gough Whitlam will always be remembered for his parting words as he left the Governor General having been dismissed from power.  

He famously proclaimed, "Well may we say "God save the Queen", because nothing will save the Governor-General!"

However Labor lost the subsequent election by a landslide.

Whitlam stepped down after losing again at the 1977 election, retiring from Parliament in 1978.

Whitlam remained greatly admired by many Labor supporters because of his efforts to reform Australian government, and because he was an inspiring leader.

Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten today said, "Mr Whitlam redefined Australia, and in doing so helped improve the lives of many people. Today, the party that I lead - the Labor party - has lost a giant. And I think it is fair to say, regardless of one's politics, the nation has lost a legend."

Prime Minister Abbott said he had instructed all flags be flown at half mast today and on the day of Mr Whitlam's state memorial service (date to follow).