Gough treated the citizens of Australia as intelligent people who could assess the policies and situations and make up their own mind. That was one of his great legacies. He wasn't moralistic or paternalistic and didn't ever claim that he knew best. That's why he was so respected. 

It is good to see partisanship from both sides at the moment. Pollies from both sides are acknowledging what he achieved. He wasn't perfect and he took risks for the betterment of the country and he can only be applauded for that.