Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam dead at 98

Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has died, aged 98. The former leader, who served from 1972 to 1975, passed away early on Tuesday morning (21Oct14).
During his years in power, Whitlam abolished national service, pulled troops out of Vietnam and improved Aboriginal rights.
He was also credited with reforming the nation’s Labor Party.
But his leadership will be largely be remembered for the 1975 constitutional crisis that became known as The Dismissal, when he was removed from office after his administration lost the ability to pay for its policies due to Liberal-National Opposition, which held control of the Senate.
Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser was appointed caretaker Prime Minister.
Current Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to his predecessor upon hearing the news of his death, stating, “He was a giant of his time.”
All national flags will fly at half-mast throughout Tuesday as a mark of respect.