Editing Gough Whitlam (section)

==Return to Opposition, 1975–1978==

[[File:Domain 19751124.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A large crowd. Far away is a platform, and a banner reading SHAME FRASER SHAME.|A huge ALP rally overspills [[The Domain, Sydney|The Domain]] in Sydney, 24 November 1975.]]

As the ALP began the 1975 campaign, it seemed that its supporters would maintain their rage. Early rallies drew huge crowds, with attendees handing Whitlam money to pay election expenses. The crowds greatly exceeded those in any of Whitlam's earlier campaigns; in [[The Domain, Sydney|The Domain]], Sydney, 30,000 people gathered for an ALP rally below a banner: "Shame Fraser Shame".{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=302}} Fraser's appearances drew protests, and a letter bomb sent to Kerr was defused by authorities. Instead of making a policy speech to keynote his campaign, Whitlam made a speech attacking his opponents and calling 11 November "a day which will live in infamy".{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=303}}

Polls from the first week of campaigning showed a nine-point swing against Labor. Whitlam's campaign team disbelieved the results at first, but additional polling returns clearly showed that the electorate had turned against Labor. The Coalition attacked Labor for economic conditions, and released television commercials with the title "The Three Dark Years" showing images from Whitlam government scandals. The ALP campaign concentrated on the issue of Whitlam's dismissal and did not address the economy until its final days. By that time Fraser was confident of victory and content to sit back, avoid specifics and make no mistakes.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|pp=303–307}} In the election, the Coalition won the largest majority government in Australian history, winning 91 seats to Labor's 36. Labor suffered a 6.5 per cent swing against it and its caucus was cut almost in half, suffering a 30-seat swing. Labor was left with five fewer seats than it had when Whitlam took the leadership. The Coalition also won a 37–25 majority in the Senate.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=315}}

[[File:Nichcart.jpg|left|thumb|upright|alt=A cartoon showing a man and a woman in bed together with balloon caption "Did the earth move for you too dear?"|Controversial cartoon of the Whitlams by [[Peter Nicholson (cartoonist)|Peter Nicholson]]]]

Whitlam stayed on as Opposition leader, surviving a leadership challenge.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=321}} In early 1976, an additional controversy broke when it was reported that Whitlam had been involved in ALP attempts to raise $500,000 during the election from the [[Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr]] government of Iraq.<ref>Parkinson, Tony [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tony-parkinson/shame-whitlam-shame/2005/11/14/1131951094949.html Shame, Whitlam, Shame] ''[[The Age]]'', 15 November 2005</ref> No money had actually been paid, and no charges were filed.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|pp=336–338}}
The Whitlams were visiting China at the time of the [[1976 Tangshan earthquake|Tangshan earthquake]] in July 1976, though they were staying in [[Tianjin]], {{convert|90|mi|order=flip}} away from the epicentre. ''[[The Age]]'' printed a cartoon by [[Peter Nicholson (cartoonist)|Peter Nicholson]] showing the Whitlams huddled together in bed with Margaret Whitlam saying, "Did the earth move for you too, dear?" This cartoon prompted a page full of outraged letters from Labor partisans and a telegram from Gough Whitlam, safe in Tokyo, requesting the original of the cartoon.{{sfn|Cohen|1996|pp=142–143}}

In early 1977 Whitlam faced a leadership challenge from [[Bill Hayden]], the last treasurer in the Whitlam government, with Whitlam remaining leader of the ALP by a two-vote margin.{{sfn|Lloyd|2008|p=352}} Fraser called [[1977 Australian federal election|an election for 10 December]]. Although Labor managed to pick up five seats, the Coalition still enjoyed a majority of 48.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=355}} According to Freudenberg, "The meaning and the message were unmistakable. It was the Australian people's rejection of Edward Gough Whitlam."{{sfn|Freudenberg|2009|p=461}} Whitlam's son [[Tony Whitlam|Tony]], who had joined his father in the House of Representatives at the 1975 election, was defeated.{{sfn|Freudenberg|2009|p=461}} Shortly after the election, Whitlam resigned as party leader and was succeeded by Hayden.{{sfn|Kelly|1983|p=355}}
{{clear}}