Bob Hawke, Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister and legend of the Labor Party, has died at the age of 89.
Mr Hawke served as Prime Minister and leader of the Labor Party from 1983 to 1991, and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the country’s greatest leaders.
Bob Hawke—the larrikin, the legend—has died aged 89. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the country’s greatest leaders.
“Bob Hawke loved Australia and Australia loved Bob Hawke. But his legacy will endure forever,” Labor leader Bill Shorten said in Sydney on Thursday night.
“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.”
He won four federal elections, making him Labor’s longest-serving prime minister and Australia’s third-longest-serving prime minister behind Robert Menzies and John Howard.
Hawke’s wife and biographer Blanche d’Alpuget released a statement saying “he died peacefully at home,” and that a private funeral will be held for him in the coming weeks.
“Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues,” the statement read. “A great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era.”
“We will miss him.“
