On the cusp of an expected return of a Labor govt Bob Hawke has died. A great PM , a real consensus leader, always across his brief and as head of an extremely talented Cabinet introduced fundamental and long lasting reforms that dragged Australia out of a long insular existence.
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Junior Wells says
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-legend-bob-hawke-dies-aged-89-20190516-p51o89.html
Junior Wells says
Well it says much about what an Anglocentric place this is, when the death of a man pivotal to fall of South Africa by initiating financial sanctions at CHOGM, the banning of mining in Antarctica to name just 2 international achievements, can have a thread noting his passing and not elicit one comment from the Massive other than from the poster.
An obscure rockabilly artist would do better.
Skirky says
Possibly. If I knew enough about the obscure rockabilly artist to contribute I’d probably chip in. What is there that I can tell you about Bob Hawke that you don’t already know?
chiz says
It depends how you tee the thread up really. Your own tribute in the OP runs to one sentence. It looks more like a notification than an invitation to commemorate or commiserate.
Sitheref2409 says
I just didn’t know enough about him to offer an opinion. I was but a schoolkid at the time
thecheshirecat says
Likewise. I was living in Melbourne at the time he was PM, but that didn’t give me any enlightening observation to make.
nickduvet says
Watched the video embedded in that link Junior. Gave me a greater insight to the man, especially how he cleaned up his act. I was still living in the N. hemisphere at the time, so a lot of the story was only vaguely familiar. I do recall the power struggle with Keating, which was echoed later in the Howard / Costello era. However, probably the only thing Brits know about Keating is he one touched the Queen’s behind.
Mousey says
I arrived in Australia from NZ in 1983 and didn’t take any notice of Oz politics until Hawke’s stunning takeover of the Labor leadership in ’83. He was known in NZ, when he was the trade union leader. The leadership battle with Keating was something to behold. Like so many politicians (and cricketers) he stayed too long – the end of his leadership was as pathetic as the beginning was cunning and triumphant. Sadly no-one in the current mob comes anywhere near those two for intelligence, foresight, wit and panache. But I hope to God Labor gets in tomorrow or I’m going back to NZ.
Junior Wells says
I’m a Keating fan, big time, but Hawke was a far better leader of a Government and still had the energy and competence. From the start Keating lacked the energy for anything other than the big fights.
Surprised at some of the comments, guess it just shows how far away and irrelevant Australia is to most of the world.
Mousey says
@Junior-Wells Now you know how is Kiwis feel!
len hyatt says
Writing from Ballarat here Junior. A Great PM. I was born with brittle bones and the first rush of fractures in the teen rapid growth rate period coincided with Medicare being introduced. Without Bob, and indeed, Gough, I ‘d be in a lot worse shape. Vale to the last PM who considered looking after people as a matter of course.
Junior Wells says
Haven’t seen your bame before Len but if Bob has drawn you out of lurkdom welcome to the sunshine.
High school kids- 30% went to year 12 when he became leader. 70% when he left.
retropath2 says
Fair and decent points made, Junior, but, arguably no different from you possibly having little interest about UK politics, or enough working knowledge to comment. (World wide schadenfreude about the current shitstorm excluded)
Junior Wells says
I like to think Im reasonably well informed on international events and no less for following threads here.
I probably overeacted , though not about Anglocentrism, it’s obvious. I’m just grieving his loss. Dunno why good and full life etc
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
I am not sure it is entirely surprising if a site with its roots in a UK magazine remains Anglocentric.
dai says
I confess the only thing I remember about Hawke is him tearfully confessing to an affair in a live interview (hope that really did happen).
I think these days people, especially in the UK, are extremely cynical and critical of politicians particularly those who get to the highest office. Can’t imagine any relatively recent British PM being eulogised
May no
Cameron no
Brown no
Blair god no
Major no
Thatcher no
Callaghan no
Wilson maybe
Heath no idea
Junior Wells says
Dont recall him being tearful about the affair(s). Daughter’s heroin addiction yes, Tiananmen Sq massacre yes.
He is the only politician down here that I can think of who would be eulogised.
retropath2 says
Nice piece about him on tonight’s PM on R4 as I drove down the M6. I learnt a lot, but a lazy synopsis would be his being a savvy and capable Sir Les composite with Germaine Greer. And that is praise (I think)
Junior Wells says
Yep totally agree @Retropath. Completely lazy.
This gives a better idea of the PM rather than all that piss head , budgie smugglers stuff. He got away with that coz of the other stuff.
This clip has journos quizzing him prior to the election where he became PM. I doubt he’d survive giving an answer like he does to question 1. Too much social media facilitated sanctimoniousness.