This week marks two significant milestones for those of us from south-west Sydney whose lives and potential were revolutionised by the transformational leadership of former Australian Prime Minister the Hon. Gough Whitlam. Yesterday marked 11 years since Gough passed away on 21 October 2014. On Monday I joined local political leaders, present and former staff, and members of the community to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Whitlam Library in Cabramatta, located not far from the Whitlam residence in Albert Street, Cabramatta. Gough Whitlam's impact on our nation was profound, but his influence is felt especially deeply in Western Sydney. He believed that government had a moral duty to expand opportunity and to ensure that every Australian, regardless of their background or postcode, had access to education, culture and the tools to improve their lives. Indeed, he was the first proponent of equity before we properly had a term for the concept.

Under Whitlam's leadership, Australia saw landmark reforms that opened the doors of learning to millions. His government introduced free tertiary education, expanded the TAFE system, and invested heavily in public libraries and community education. Those reforms were not abstract ideals; they changed lives in very real ways, particularly in communities like Liverpool, Fairfield and Cabramatta. Many still recall the transformative impact of being the first in their family to attend university. I note the presence of the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education in the Chamber this evening.

I often speak with constituents who have a Gough story. Last week a long-time resident of Liverpool reflected on the fact that Gough would often pop into his parents' home on a Sunday morning for breakfast and a chat. When the Whitlam Library opened in 1975, it stood as a symbol of those values. It became and remains a cornerstone of the community. For 50 years it has been a place of welcome and learning. It is a place where new arrivals could improve their English, where children could discover the joy of reading, and where families could gather to learn, connect and grow.

I particularly note the reading by Claire Cao, a local community member who shared with the audience how the Whitlam Library had helped her understand and connect much better to her father by discovering their shared interests in music, books and other texts. It was truly a reflection of the impact that libraries can have across our community. Whilst the library has evolved over the decades, its purpose has not changed. It continues to provide free access to knowledge, technology and community, reflecting Whitlam's enduring belief that education is the foundation of equality. The Whitlam Library's golden anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating. It reminds us of the power of public institutions to change lives, and of the legacy of a leader who understood that the measure of a nation lies in how it supports those with the least.

Interestingly, the expansion of post-secondary education and the abolition of university fees during the Whitlam Government had direct implications for the professionalisation of librarianship in Australia and education for library and information systems professionals. In Western Sydney, that legacy lives on in every student who walks through the library's doors, every adult who learns a new skill there and every child who finds their imagination sparked by a book. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Customer Service and Digital Government, I am acutely aware that our public libraries are commonly the only space that is freely available and accessible to many in our community, whether it is in terms of books and access to resources or in terms of access to digital infrastructure.

I am fond of saying that access to digital infrastructure is the new access to education when it comes to pursuing opportunity and pursuing one's potential. On this anniversary, we remember Gough Whitlam not only as a statesman, but also as a reformer and visionary who transformed our community's access to education and culture. The Whitlam Library stands as a living tribute to his vision, which will continue to empower, inspire and impact generations still to come.