Former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke has passed away. He was aged 89. Hawke passed away in his Sydney home on Thursday.
“Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era,” Mr Hawke’s wife Blanche d’Alpuget shared in a statement.
A memorial service is set to be held in Sydney in the coming weeks.
Hawke led Labor to victory through four consecutive elections from 1983.
“Among his proudest achievements were large increases in the proportion of children finishing high school, his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, and his successful international campaign to protect Antarctica from mining,” A press statement read.
“He abhorred racism and bigotry. His father, the Reverend Clem Hawke, told Bob that if you believed in the Fatherhood of God then you must also believe in the Brotherhood of Man. Bob would add today the Sisterhood of Women.
Labour leader Bill Shorten has shared a statement, honouring the late Hawke.
“The Australian people loved Bob Hawke because they knew Bob loved them, this was true to the very end,” he shared.
“With his passing, the labour movement salutes our greatest son, the Labor Party gives thanks for the life of our longest-serving Prime Minister and Australians everywhere remember and honour a man who gave so much to the country and people he cared for so deeply.”
“Every Australian carries a monument to Bob Hawke with them, their Medicare card. A green-and-gold promise that the health of any one of us, matters to all of us.
“He knew he was loved, right to the end. We honour him. We will remember him. In solidarity, forever. May he rest in peace.”
Bob Hawke has died.
A great man who made this country confident.
A great man who never lost his humility.
Guinness book of records 1954 , 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds.
Rhodes Scholar.
Trade Union Leader.
Prime Minister.
Statesman.
Thanks for everything
Mr Hawke.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/1128959319699886080
Bob Hawke goddamn. Sad news but what a huge life he lived. Vale.
— Urthboy (@urthboy) May 16, 2019
What can you say about Hawkey? In our top three prime ministers. Dead set legend. I imagine him and Gough will sink a few frothies this evening. Vale, RIP and all that.#BobHawke #MrHawke #Hawkey #RIPHawkie pic.twitter.com/ei6X8Slvit
— Nick Milligan (@NickMilligan_) May 16, 2019
The entire union movement grieves for the passing of Bob Hawke. Medicare. Superannuation. Modern Australia. Union movement hero.
— Sally McManus (@sallymcmanus) May 16, 2019
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
— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) May 16, 2019
I am actually tearing up about Bob Hawke. I think because it feels like we've also lost so much that he fought for. We haven't. But it still feels like a great and terrible loss.
— Nadine von Birmingcoham (@JohnBirmingham) May 16, 2019
