Former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam has died, aged 98.
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Mr Whitlam was Australia's 21st prime minister from 1972 to 1975.
His children Antony, Nicholas, Stephen and Catherine issued a statement about their father's death this morning.
"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," his children said in a statement.
There will be a private cremation and a public memorial service.
Mr Whitlam was one of Australia's most controversial prime ministers.
He led Labor to its first victory in 23 years at the December 1972 election on the back of the famous "It's Time" campaign.
He was sensationally sacked on November 11, 1975 by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
His wife Margaret died in March 2012.
Mr Whitlam was born on July 11, 1916.
His father Fred became Commonwealth Crown Solicitor and the classically educated young Gough grew up in Canberra, before studying at Sydney University.
He married Margaret Dovey married in 1942 and had three sons and a daughter.
Mr Whitlam joined the World War II air force, becoming a flight lieutenant and bomber navigator.
When the war ended Mr Whitlam joined the Labor Party and completed a law degree.
In 1952 Mr Whitlam won a by-election for the seat of Werriwa and went back to Canberra as an MP.
Mr Whitlam took over the leadership in early 1967 following another heavy loss at the polls.
After his election as prime minister, his government abolished fees for tertiary education, reformed family law and brought the Commonwealth into urban and regional development, including bringing sewerage to many Sydney and Melbourne suburbs. Spending on Aboriginal affairs and the arts increased.
However, a number of issues beset his government including the Junie Morosi affair and the loans affair.
A stalemate caused by the Senate's refusal to pass the budget was resolved when the Governor-General dismissed the Whitlam government and appointing Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser caretaker prime minister.
Mr Whitlam made his famous "Kerr's cur" and "maintain your rage" speech on the steps of Parliament House. But in the following election, he was slaughtered.
