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Bob Hawke dies aged 89: Blanche d'Alpuget leads tributes to former Australian PM – rolling coverage Bob Hawke dies aged 89: Blanche d'Alpuget leads tributes to former Australian PM – rolling coverage
(32 minutes later)
Former treasurer Joe Hockey:
So very sad to hear my mate and former constituent,and my parents neighbour,Bob Hawke has passed away. He was a legend in so many ways. Our love to Blanche and the family. Australia has lost a bloody good guy today.
More front pages:
Tomorrow's front page. Vale Bob Hawke, the fearless reformer pic.twitter.com/auibUrZQgO
More tributes from current Labor MPs and senators. Penny Wong:
My words are not enough to express who Bob Hawke was to our movement, and our country. A Labor giant, a beloved Australian. Labor governments change the country. None more so than his. pic.twitter.com/wtDPQHFKau
Kristina Keneally:
To think of Bob Hawke is to smile. He always lifted spirits. Bob inspired awe - he changed Australia, modernised our economy; created Medicare, superannuation; protected our environment. Bob always stood up for working people, always. He is a hero & legend. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LQxt0IU6cx
Tony Burke:
The Bob Hawke I admired was the man who saved the Franklin, the Daintree, Kakadu and protected Antarctica from mining. The Bob Hawke I befriended and laughed with every New Year’s Eve was a fellow music fan with Blanche every summer at Woodford Folk Festival. What a life! pic.twitter.com/vcmEajMY6F
John Ah Kit was Director of the Northern Land Council (NLC) when Aboriginal leaders of the NT presented Bob Hawke with the Barunga statement, on Jawoyn country east of Katherine in 1988.
The Barunga statement was an historic declaration of demands and aspirations – carefully-worded, hand-crafted, painted and written on a bark – and presented by the chair of the NLC, Galarrwuy Yunupingu, and the chairm of the Central Land Council, Wenten Rubuntja.
A beaming Bob Hawke co-signed the statement and set a deadline for a treaty as the end of 1990, but a major obstacle was the increasingly strident and dramatic statements of hard-right politicians in the Liberal party, in particular the president, John Elliott and Opposition leader, John Howard.
John Ah Kit met Bob Hawke again in 1991, while fighting to stop uranium mining at Guratba – the Jawoyn name for Coronation Hill.
Hawke refused to allow the mine to go ahead and override the deeply held religious beliefs of the Jawoyn traditional owners. It was a decision which he later said cost him the prime ministership.
John Ah Kit told Guardian Australia Hawke was a “remarkable man.”
Bob was a legend in his own right, but he had a special relationship with the Katherine region that in some ways transcended, for us, the mere fact of being a prime minister.
Back in ’88, the 200th anniversary of the Invasion, he was more than willing to come to the Barunga Festival in June that year and talk to the land councils at that historical event.
And he listened to us, he was patient and listened to us. He clearly wanted to do something which is why he was happy to sign the Barunga Statement which called for a Treaty. There was no doubt about his genuineness.
As history tells us, of course, he could not muster support in his party at the time to pursue the goal of a Treaty. That’s something we are still waiting for, four decades later.
But it was over the issue of Guratba—the Jawoyn name for Coronation Hill—a time when the mining companies were bashing us at a hundred miles an hour, that he stood firm by the custodians of that country. He believed those old men and refused to back away. He and Gerry Hand pushed for the protection of the Sickness Country of which Guratba was a focus. Guratba was saved.
I heard an interview with him much later when he said that Coronation Hill was the thing that brought him down, but Bob stood by us.
And on his last day in office, he welcomed Jawoyn and other Aboriginal people to the official hanging of the Barunga Statement in Parliament House. To me, that was a symbol of his legacy to us as Aboriginal people.
John Ah Kit later served as the first Aboriginal minister, in the Northern Territory Labor government.
This portrait, of Hawke enjoying a strawberry milkshake, is fast becoming one of the favourite photo tributes to the PM.
Taken in 2017 by Harold David, it won the National Photographic Portrait Prize that year.
Says David: “All the planning in the world went out the window the moment Bob Hawke walked into the room, sipping through a pink straw....a take-away cup, a glint in the eyes, a life well-lived.”
Thankful for Bob Hawke. A man who balanced visionary leadership with a deft common touch and changed the course of the nation.Truly a man of the people. He will be missed.#BobHawkeRIP #RIPHawkie pic.twitter.com/AnDBlyv4zy
Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has tweeted his condolences:Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has tweeted his condolences:
Farewell Bob Hawke a great Australian, Labor leader and reforming Prime Minister. Australia is a better place because of him. Lucy and I send our love and condolences to Blanche and all of his family.Farewell Bob Hawke a great Australian, Labor leader and reforming Prime Minister. Australia is a better place because of him. Lucy and I send our love and condolences to Blanche and all of his family.
As has former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce:As has former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce:
Well, we will all miss him. Have to admit it, we were all proud of him as he was one of us. Vale BobWell, we will all miss him. Have to admit it, we were all proud of him as he was one of us. Vale Bob
Gumatj leader and Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Galarrwuy Yunupingu worked with Hawke towards an Indigenous treaty, and presented him with the Barunga statement in 1988.Gumatj leader and Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Galarrwuy Yunupingu worked with Hawke towards an Indigenous treaty, and presented him with the Barunga statement in 1988.
In a statement, he expressed his “deep sorrow” at Hawke’s passing.In a statement, he expressed his “deep sorrow” at Hawke’s passing.
Mr Hawke was a very popular leader, and a friend of the Yolngu people.Mr Hawke was a very popular leader, and a friend of the Yolngu people.
His efforts to bridge the gap between black and white Australia were always sincere, and continued after the end of his prime ministership.His efforts to bridge the gap between black and white Australia were always sincere, and continued after the end of his prime ministership.
We did not achieve all that was set out in the Barunga Statement, but it remains in parliament, and we continue to pursue its aspirations.We did not achieve all that was set out in the Barunga Statement, but it remains in parliament, and we continue to pursue its aspirations.
We will remember Mr Hawke fondly, a smile on his face.We will remember Mr Hawke fondly, a smile on his face.
I send my sincere condolences to his family on this sad occasion.I send my sincere condolences to his family on this sad occasion.
Former PM Julia Gillard: “Without question, Bob was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had. And up to his very last days, he remained both an inspiration and a friend.Former PM Julia Gillard: “Without question, Bob was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had. And up to his very last days, he remained both an inspiration and a friend.
“In many ways the true measure of Bob’s incredible ability is that he made the difficult look easy. Now more than thirty years after he smashed an old model and remade a country, everyone thinks they supported him at the time.“In many ways the true measure of Bob’s incredible ability is that he made the difficult look easy. Now more than thirty years after he smashed an old model and remade a country, everyone thinks they supported him at the time.
“I will never forget his passion and and generosity in launching my campaign in Brisbane in 2010....Today is a very sad day for me, for Bob’s many friends, for the nation. But it’s an especially sad day for Blanche and for his children and grandchildren. My thoughts go to them now and in coming days.”“I will never forget his passion and and generosity in launching my campaign in Brisbane in 2010....Today is a very sad day for me, for Bob’s many friends, for the nation. But it’s an especially sad day for Blanche and for his children and grandchildren. My thoughts go to them now and in coming days.”
Bob Hawke was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had.As a teenager Bob inspired me, as a PM he guided me.I will miss him. I wish so very much that Bob had been able to see one more election day.My condolences to Blanche, his children and grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/4wPHdIeBUZBob Hawke was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had.As a teenager Bob inspired me, as a PM he guided me.I will miss him. I wish so very much that Bob had been able to see one more election day.My condolences to Blanche, his children and grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/4wPHdIeBUZ
Tomorrow evening there will be a celebration of Hawke’s life at Victorian Trades HallTomorrow evening there will be a celebration of Hawke’s life at Victorian Trades Hall
Join with us tomorrow to celebrate the life of Bob Hawke - Prime Minister, Great Australian and friend of the worker. Everyone is welcome - please share this with your friends, family and workmates. pic.twitter.com/vYAe3h6VGeJoin with us tomorrow to celebrate the life of Bob Hawke - Prime Minister, Great Australian and friend of the worker. Everyone is welcome - please share this with your friends, family and workmates. pic.twitter.com/vYAe3h6VGe
And another tribute from Bob Brown, who says tonight’s aurora australis is “Antarctica beaming back its thanks for Bob Hawke”.And another tribute from Bob Brown, who says tonight’s aurora australis is “Antarctica beaming back its thanks for Bob Hawke”.
Tonight’s Southern Aurora is Antarctica beaming back its thanks for Bob Hawke.Tonight’s Southern Aurora is Antarctica beaming back its thanks for Bob Hawke.
Scott Morrison is speaking now, on the tarmac, holding an umbrella in the pouring rain:Scott Morrison is speaking now, on the tarmac, holding an umbrella in the pouring rain:
His achievements will be spoken of in the days ahead, but the thing Australians will remember most about him was the bloke. He made Australia stronger, through his contribution to public life.His achievements will be spoken of in the days ahead, but the thing Australians will remember most about him was the bloke. He made Australia stronger, through his contribution to public life.
He had enormous passion and he had courage. And that was able to sustain him in being the longest serving Labor PM of all time. It was his ability to connect with everyday Australians with a word, with that larrikin wit, with that connection and understanding and everyday Australian life that we will most remember Bob Hawke.He had enormous passion and he had courage. And that was able to sustain him in being the longest serving Labor PM of all time. It was his ability to connect with everyday Australians with a word, with that larrikin wit, with that connection and understanding and everyday Australian life that we will most remember Bob Hawke.
It was Hawke who changed our national anthem to say ‘Australians all let us rejoice’, and tonight, while I’m sure I extend to the labour movement and to Bill Shorten and his party, my deep sympathies on behalf of our political movement, I think we can all say as Australians all, that we rejoice in the life of Bob Hawke.It was Hawke who changed our national anthem to say ‘Australians all let us rejoice’, and tonight, while I’m sure I extend to the labour movement and to Bill Shorten and his party, my deep sympathies on behalf of our political movement, I think we can all say as Australians all, that we rejoice in the life of Bob Hawke.
We thank him for his service to our nation and we pray now that he rest in peace. Thank you, Bob.We thank him for his service to our nation and we pray now that he rest in peace. Thank you, Bob.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews:Victorian premier Daniel Andrews:
More than any other, Bob Hawke was the people’s prime minister. Australians saw themselves in him, and he saw himself in us. The son of a school teacher and a minister, he grew up in the most ordinary of circumstance.More than any other, Bob Hawke was the people’s prime minister. Australians saw themselves in him, and he saw himself in us. The son of a school teacher and a minister, he grew up in the most ordinary of circumstance.
And yet that boy from Bordertown would leave us with the most extraordinary legacy. In the coming days, that legacy will be remembered in a multitude of different ways.And yet that boy from Bordertown would leave us with the most extraordinary legacy. In the coming days, that legacy will be remembered in a multitude of different ways.
Rhodes Scholar. Yard Drinker. Staunch Unionist. Member for Wills. Labor’s longest serving Prime Minister.Rhodes Scholar. Yard Drinker. Staunch Unionist. Member for Wills. Labor’s longest serving Prime Minister.
But for so many in our movement, he was and will always be the father of Medicare. The man who made sure that most fundamental right - healthcare - was afforded to every Australian. The man who created the foundation of fairness on which our modern nation was built.”But for so many in our movement, he was and will always be the father of Medicare. The man who made sure that most fundamental right - healthcare - was afforded to every Australian. The man who created the foundation of fairness on which our modern nation was built.”
The front pages tomorrow will all be tributes. The NT News starts us off with this:The front pages tomorrow will all be tributes. The NT News starts us off with this:
TOMORROW’S FRONT PAGE pic.twitter.com/pPInAwi1z5TOMORROW’S FRONT PAGE pic.twitter.com/pPInAwi1z5
And these recollections from Barrie Cassidy:And these recollections from Barrie Cassidy:
Popular forever: the intellectual larrikin that was Bob Hawke | Barrie CassidyPopular forever: the intellectual larrikin that was Bob Hawke | Barrie Cassidy
And these from Susan Ryan:And these from Susan Ryan:
'Women of Australia, be grateful for what Bob Hawke did': Susan Ryan, Labor's first female minister'Women of Australia, be grateful for what Bob Hawke did': Susan Ryan, Labor's first female minister
Scott Morrison will be speaking soon in Brisbane.
In the meantime, read this obituary of the former PM from political editor Katharine Murphy:
Bob Hawke, the typical Australian who enjoyed extraordinary popularity as a public figure
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek:
Today we lost an Australian legend.Bob Hawke changed everything – for our nation, and for @AustralianLabor.Bob - you were big, bold and brave.Medicare, the economy, the Accord, the environment, Australia’s place in the world. pic.twitter.com/X2PLJBouy5
And the UK’s Labour deputy, Tom Watson, is paying tribute from halfway around the world:
Farewell great Labor PM Bob Hawke, who showed that when the world was moving right in the 1980’s with Thatcher and Reagan, A left leaning party could win. https://t.co/Fmxa9AlaPw
Political to the last, the final letter Hawke wrote was about voting for Labor in Saturday’s election.
Two weeks earlier, he also co-wrote a letter with Keating on the same theme. The two publicly reunited for the first time since 1991, sat and had a cup of tea.
One of the other last pictures was taken by @DrCraigEmerson pic.twitter.com/8UPEcQlW6j
This is the last public photograph of Hawke, from Monday.
The last photo of Bob Hawke, taken on Monday with @billshortenmp pic.twitter.com/mex2hJ4DQQ
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has released his statement:
He had a unique ability to speak to all Australians and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Bob’s widow Blanche and his family. May he Rest In Peace.
More tributes:
From ACTU secretary Sally McManus and president Michele O’Neil:
“As a leader of our nation and of our movement, Bob was a hero to working people – an architect of the accords, the father of Medicare, and a founder of universal superannuation.
“The Australian union movement has enormous pride that a great and respected representative of working people and ACTU president went on to become a loved and legendary Australian prime minister.
“Millions of working people owe their health, their prosperity and their dignity in retirement to Bob’s work.
“The entire union family is grieving as are all Australians. We will never forget him.
“Solidarity and Vale Bob Hawke”.
From former PM Tony Abbott:
Statement on the death of The Hon Bob Hawke AC, GCL: pic.twitter.com/M8fzbFlVTE
Bill Shorten is speaking now in Sydney, sharing the story of his last meeting with Hawke.
Tonight the nation and Labor are in mourning. We have lost a favourite son. Bob Hawke loved Australia and Australia loved Bob Hawke.
His legacy will endure forever. Bob Hawke changed Australia for the better.
He brought people together, he brought Australia together, he modernised our economy, he transformed our society, he protected our environment.
I last had the privilege of seeing Bob last week. On his back verandah, sitting out there with his beloved Blanche, supported by Craig [Emerson]. He had the sun on his face, a crossword in front of him, a cup of tea. He didn’t speak about himself to me.
He did, as he always does, asked about the ALP and the election. We all loved Bob Hawke. We’ll miss him a great deal. May he rest in peace.”
In Sydney, Bill Shorten will be giving a speech in tribute to Hawke soon.
Right now, former Labor minister Craig Emerson is there reading from Blanche D’Alpuget’s statement.
Cassidy: “John Howard once said that no politician is popular forever. He described that as one of the great ironies of politics. I think Bob Hawke disproved that.
“People felt that, if they saw him at the football, in the races or in the street, they could say, ‘G’day Bob’ and feel they weren’t going to be shunned in any way.
“[His friend] Col Cunningham once said that they say that beer destroys the brain. Well, Bob Hawke disproved that.”
The ABC’s Barrie Cassidy, who worked as Hawke’s press secretary from 1986 to 1991, is speaking now on TV.
I tell you what most impressed me about him. He wouldn’t cop racism. He just wouldn’t cop it at any level. At the very whiff of it, he’d be right on to it.
When he worked with the ACTU, he led the campaign against the Springboks tour over apartheid. When he became prime minister he organised sanctions against South Africans. Years later, the foreign minister of South Africa said that was the dagger at the heart of apartheid. That’s what BobHawke did. He took it on.
There was the time when John Howard raised the issue of not just lowering immigration but reducing specifically Asian immigration. People got together in his office, he said, ‘I’m taking this on. I’m going to go into parliament and challenge this.’”
Paul Keating, Hawke’s treasurer, successor as prime minister, and political partner for much of their careers, has issued this statement:
With Bob Hawke’s passing today, the great partnership I enjoyed with him passes too. A partnership we forged with the Australian people. But what remains and what will endure from that partnership are the monumental foundations of modern Australia.
Bob, of course, was hoping for a Labor victory this weekend. His friends too, were hoping he would see this.
Bob possessed a moral framework for his important public life, both representing the workers of Australia and more broadly, the country at large. He understood that imagination was central to policy-making and never lacked the courage to do what had to be done to turn that imagination into reality.
And that reality was the reformation of Australia’s economy and society and its place in the world.
No one will miss Bob more than his wife, Blanche, who very sweetly, attended his every need, particularly in these later years.
His children, Susan, Stephen and Rosslyn loved their father and were deeply committed to the precepts of his public life. Bob’s death will be an enormous loss to them and their children, of whom he was eternally proud.
The country is much the poorer for Bob Hawke’s passing.”