Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said Gough Whitlam was a transformative Prime Minister, who led the nation during a tumultuous time in Australian history.

“His legacy for both Australia and the Australian Labor Party is enduring.

“He was a courageous political leader who dared to challenge every Australian.

“Gough Whitlam was a hero to my generation – a man who stopped an unpopular war and ended the draft; provided universal health care; opened up the possibilities of university education to working class kids; recognised Australia’s first peoples; made our migrants feel welcome; focused on our cities and reached out to other parts of the world.

“I offer my deepest condolences to Nicholas and Judy Whitlam, who live in the Illawarra, and to all members of the Whitlam family.”

Ms Watson said Mr Whitlam’s death was significant for other reasons.

“What this will do is highlight exactly what Labor is all about, and the difference between Labor and Liberal,” she said.

“Gough Whitlam’s legacy will certainly live on in that respect.”

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said it was the “end of an era”.

She said his contributions included changing the nature of the relationship between federal and local government.

“Gough made a huge contribution to Australian society,” she said.

“Think about the number of young men saved from having to serve duty in Vietnam because of Gough’s decision.” 

Kiama councillor Neil Reilly said it was a sad event for Australians.

“It’s a very sad event for all people who support democracy and a new way of governing,” he said.

“I have a quote from him.

“Someone said he was the immortal Gough Whitlam; he responded, ‘not immortal, merely eternal’

Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull has choked back tears as MPs, including Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Labor leader Bill Shorten, lined up to pay tribute to the fallen political giant Gough Whitlam, who died on Tuesday, aged 98. 

MPs honoured Mr Whitlam's policy achievements ranging from his introduction of free university degrees, Medibank and expansion of welfare but also paid tribute to his wit, passion and optimism in the job. 

Mr Turnbull became emotional as he spoke about his late constituent. 

"Gough Whitlam is an example to us all," the member for Wentworth told Parliament.

He said while all Prime Ministers capture the nation's attention, few capture the people's imagination as Mr Whitlam did with his "presence, eloquence and generosity of vision". 

"Even fewer capture their imagination and retain it for so long," he said, adding "he was an enchancer, an enlarger".

Mr Turnbull said Mr Whitlam's reconciliation with his immediate successor Malcolm Fraser, following the Labor leader's dismissal in 1975 showed the importance of "optimism" in politics. 

"He did not allow the hatred to eat away at him. So many people in our business, in politics, find themselves consumed by hatred and retire into bitter anecdotage, gnawing away at the injustices and betrayals they suffered in their life. Whitlam was able to rise above that," he said.

Earlier Mr Abbott moved the condolence motion in Parliament and said Mr Whitlam "might not be one of our greatest prime ministers, but he was certainly one of the greatest personalities that our country has ever produced".

"Gough Whitlam is gone but not forgotten," Mr Abbott said.

"His life was a life full of purpose. Proof, if proof were needed, that individuals do matter and they can make a lasting difference to the country they love. We have have much to learn from the giants of those times," he said in conclusion.

Mr Shorten said Mr Whitlam had succeeded in transforming not just changing the nation.

"By any test, our country is better because of him".

Mr Shorten said Gough's "vision" is "writ large" in the National Disability Insurance Scheme which Labor introduced and the Coalition has committed to implementing.

"Because of Gough, because of his life and legacy, it's always time. It's always time for a more generous and inclusive and progressive and confident Australia," he said.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said Mr Whitlam "lived and breathed the aspirations of the people of western Sydney for a fair go and he applied them to the suburbs and regions of the nation".

"Almost 40 years after he left office, he is still much beloved on the streets of western Sydney, not because of the social reforms he introduced, but he brought sewers to western Sydney".

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said all of Mr Whitlam's major reforms, including on education, recognition of China, and the creation of the Racial Discrimination Act, had all stood the test of time. 

"Our legacy in terms of political contribution can be judged by the permanency of it," he said.

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said Mr Whitlam "led Australia to what it could be."

"I've often thought if was fitting that Gough Whitlam was Australia's 21st Prime Minister because with Gough Whitlam, Australia came of age."

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne said he was one of Labor's "great parliamentary performers" and regaled the house with his memory of asking Mr Whitlam which of his best speeches he would like included in a book being complied by his former boss and Howard government minister Amanda Vanstone.

"He said 'any one will do'."

Mr Pyne said he could remember, at the age of eight, where he was when the Whitlam government was dismissed.

"I remember my mother was ironing, I was watching Adventure Island and my mother started crying…she wasn't crying out of sadness when she heard the Whitlam government had been dismissed," he said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was often forgotten that Mr Whitlam served as Foreign Minister between the end of 1972 and 1973. Ms Bishop praised the direction he had taken Australia on the world stage.

"He took a bold political gamble to visit China at a high point in the Cold War.  And he was vindicated when it was revealed that the United States' national security adviser Henry Kissinger had also been sent to Beijing by President Richard Nixon."

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the country had not seen a political campaign with more "dynamism, vibrancy and momentum" since Mr Whitlam's "It's Time" movement.

He said Mr Whitlam had inspired politicians from both sides to enter public life both to support and oppose prime minister Whitlam's manifesto.

"He didn't have a lot of support, it has to be said, in the regions.  Farmers were protesting outside of Parliament House.   I have to confess I was one of them," Mr Truss said.

Cabinet ministers Kevin Andrews, Barnaby Joyce and government whip Phillip Ruddock as well a Labor frontbenchers Jenny Macklin, Tony Burke and Warren Snowden and former treasurer Wayne Swan also spoke on the motion before Parliament ended for the day.

smh.com.au