Thousands of people today attended a state memorial service for Australia’s former prime minister Gough Whitlam.

The Labor politician who led the government from 1972 until his dismissal in 1975 and brought unprecedented reforms in Australia died at age 98 on Oct 21.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, six of his predecessors, actress Cate Blanchett and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O’Neill were among those who attended the two-hour service at Sydney’s Town Hall.

A large crowd gathered outside the venue. Some booed Abbott, leader of the Liberal party, when he arrived.

Whitlam is remembered across the political spectrum as one of the most influential figures in Australian politics, an advocate of social justice, gender equality, decolonisation and Aboriginal land rights.

His government introduced wide-ranging reforms, oriented the country towards China and oversaw the independence of Papua New Guinea and withdrawal of Australia’s troops from Vietnam.

It also put an end to conscription, abolished the death penalty for federal crimes, introduced free tertiary education and a national health system.

A standoff between Labor and the opposition urging for an election prompted a constitutional crisis and led to Whitlam being sacked on Nov 11, 1975.

Some political commentators said while Whitlam improved lives by developing Australia into a modern nation, there were failings by his government on the economic front.

Whitlam was born in Melbourne in July 16, 1916. He studied law at the University of Sydney and served in the air force before joining the Labor Party.

He served as Australia's ambassador to Unesco and lectured at his alma mater and Harvard University after he left parliament in the late 1970s.

- dpa