Well this is all a bit uncomfortable.

Former Prime Minister John Howard has called actress Cate Blanchett ‘s speech delivered at Gough Whitlam’s state funeral “outrageous”.

Cate’s passionate speech at the Former Prime Minister Whitlam’s funeral described him as ‘mighty’. “The loss I felt came down to something very deep and very simple. I am the beneficiary of free, tertiary education.” That statement was met by cheering and applause by the large crowd.

Today, one month after the funeral, publications have reported John Howard slamming Cate’s speech.

“That speech of Cate Blanchett’s was outrageous. Cate Blanchett is a talented actor, I admire her talent, but to suggest that Whitlam introduced free university education is wrong.”

“The last three years of my university education were completely free and that was 11 years before Whitlam came to power. This idea that it just arrived (with Whitlam) is complete nonsense and it ought to be called out more frequently.”

As Channel Nine news reported:

You can watch Cate’s eulogy and decide for yourself here: