Bill Shorten described Bob Hawke as ‘Labor’s greatest son’ and political leaders from here and around the world have sent condolences and high praise of Bob Hawke both for his time as leader and as a great man.
Bob Hawke was a great Australian who led and served our country with passion, courage, and an intellectual horsepower that made our country stronger.
He was true to his beliefs in the Labor tradition and defined the politics of his generation and beyond.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 16, 2019
Even though I never had the chance to serve with him, I always liked and admired Bob Hawke for his progressive record and great sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family and the people of Australia.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) May 16, 2019
R.I.P Bob Hawke. A great Labor Prime Minister. A great Australian.
“A working class hero is something to be” pic.twitter.com/cBGMKQxTPx— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) May 16, 2019
Tony Abbott said about Bob Hawke “He had a Labor heart, but a Liberal head” for which he has copped a flak in the press and from other politicians.
The Liberals opposed Bob Hawke on:
-Medicare
-compulsory superannuation
-The Accord
-tax reforms
In short, the Liberals opposed the Hawke-Keating reforms. @TonyAbbottMHR is wrong on the facts and so wrong in his sentiment.
Bob Hawke – Labor heart, mind & soul, legend. pic.twitter.com/lcuKBRYh3W— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) May 16, 2019
Bob Hawke will go down as one of Australia’s favourite prime ministers, but was he one of the best? Political veteran Laurie Oakes seems to think so.
Bob Hawke: Political veteran Laurie Oakes reflects on ‘best PM we’ve ever had’
Bob Hawke was “possibly the best Prime Minister we’ve had” and his death will send shockwaves across the nation, political veteran Laurie Oakes says. https://t.co/svFOs9qImN— lynlinking (@lynlinking) May 16, 2019
Bob Hawke gave us Medicare which has certainly improved and often saved the lives of countless Australians. Even if this alone was his legacy, he’d have done more for this country than many PMs before him and since. But, along with Paul Keating, he opened trade with Asia and delivered on policies that ensured both prosperity and social equality. He certainly left his positive mark on Australia and Australians, which is an achievement maybe only a minority of PMs can put on their resume.
But he was more than a prime minister. His personality and ability to endear himself to the public will also go down in history. No one could ever forget that video of him celebrating Australia’s America’s Cup victory. He certainly passed the pub test, too. In fact, he once drank himself into the record books, when he was the fastest man to ‘skull’ a yard of beer during his days at Oxford.
Bob is famous for once saying “The things which are most important don’t always scream the loudest”.
His passing will not go unnoticed, and it certainly put a sober note on the final day of federal election campaigning, but the show will go on, just as Bob would have wanted.
We’d like to know who your favourite post-war prime minister was and who you think has done the most for Australia. So why not join us in our Friday Flash Poll and share your thoughts?
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