Bob Hawke: An extraordinary life as ‘the people’s PM’ | Australian Story

Australian Story celebrates the extraordinary life and career of Bob Hawke, Australia’s most popular prime minister, who died aged 89.
Hawke won four elections, becoming Labor’s longest-serving prime minister and overseeing profound economic and social reform. Eventually Hawke's fruitful relationship with treasurer Paul Keating soured and he lost the leadership of the party, bringing to an end a stellar career
This intimate portrait features extensive archive, including rare photos from the family’s private collection, and revealing interviews with Hawke, his biographer and second wife Blanche D’Alpuget and his three children.
About Australian Story:
Putting the "real" back into reality television, Australian Story is an award-winning documentary series with no narrator and no agendas - just authentic stories told entirely in people's own words. Take 30 minutes to immerse yourself in the life of an extraordinary Australian. They're sometimes high profile, sometimes controversial, but always compelling. It’s television guaranteed to make you think and feel. New episodes are available every Monday
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[@ellenmcaleese7004]

He kept it real. Despite being a Rhodes scholar he had no posh accent, didn't show off his wealth, he was not condescending towards ordinary Australians. Politicians like Kevin Rudd, Alexander Downer & Christopher Pyne could not hide the disgust they felt towards ordinary Australians and couldn't wait to get away. Hawke would be amongst the people, having a laugh and would stay all day. He had to be dragged away. People feel it. That's why he was so loved.

[@tonynguyen5050]

It's kind of sad that there can be a person known as "the people's PM" because ideally, all PMs should be representatives of the people.

[@UDimwit]

Yet our Constitution mentions nothing about the position of Prime Minister... Funny thing that.. it only mentions the Governor General..

[@chrisobrien1344]

Yeah, true, but show the young, pm should stand for us! The people!

[@louieryder7106]

you prolly dont care at all but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my password. I love any tips you can offer me!

[@kristophernicolas5195]

@Louie Ryder Instablaster ;)

[@louieryder7106]

@Kristopher Nicolas Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@avidutubewatcher]

I am not a labour voter, but Bob Hawke was a legend. Bob had a well lived life. I met him in 2014 at a function and he was great. He was witty, intellectual and interesting. He has a common touch, but he was cut above the rest of us. His Cabinet in the 1980s was the best this country had 🇦🇺👍🏻😀

[@silverencrusted9423]

Um don't be fooled ………………… Bob Hawke removed Common English Law , that protected all Australians to Common Law of Australia that has taken away our rights

[@marilynschmidt6400]

@@silverencrusted9423 Australia was awesome back then when you compare all the issues of today. Politics today is just a joke!

[@silverencrusted9423]

@@marilynschmidt6400 Yes it was awesome , if Bob had left thigs alone and not tampered with Common English Law it still would be awesome today , he has assisted the treason that has taken place today and previous few years

[@mickjames7962]

@@silverencrusted9423 Rhodes Scholar and Fabian Socialist agent.

[@coopsnz1]

@@silverencrusted9423 introduce capital gains tax why Australia as smaller middle class and upper class

[@MrFister84]

I know both Bob's parents would have been very proud that their son was loved up until the very last minute and beyond by the Australian people. RIP

[@gortnewton4765]

Loved by who? Marxists, atheists? The so-called lovable larrikin employed the military against Australian pilots for his chum Peter Ables (best pals, you see).

[@ethanramos4441]

Not just his parents but his uncle too would be proud of him because he was also politician as well

[@debrashawcross170]

NO RESEARCH FIONA BARNETTS TESTIMONY

[@shadigif8916]

Who wouldn't love to have a beer with Bob Hawke

[@Rastus123]

Truth is, they despised him!!!

[@loretta_3843]

I don't think Bob was ever going to give Keating the job. I remember hearing, that power can't be given, it must be taken, and it's true.

[@J03YDR4M45]

WHAT A MAN, WHAT AN AUSTRALIAN

[@linda-janeneophytou133]

We settled in Australia 32 years ago because of this compassionate human being and great democratic socialist. Good man.Him and Paul K eating had the MAGIC together and made us great .They both understood that being LEFT was being RIGHT. Cheers mate.

[@thomaselliott573]

You are correct. These were the days before the crap we put up with now.

[@timventers742]

@Jamie Lee OR YOU.bye bye

[@jimhaut480]

THEY SOLD AUSTRALIA OUT! IDIOTA!

[@Jeweleye62]

Bob Hawke and Paul Keating made a formidable team, but unfortunately Paul put his own needs and desires ahead of that of the country and that was a big mistake. It takes more than brains to be a great leader and Bob understood that better than most. He was and remained a man of the people to the very end.

[@crashtestcal6484]

Both he and Keating were so wrong to want to prioritise our relationship with China over the United States. Unfortunately, Bob held that position until he died. It was the only thing I disliked about him.

[@thomaselliott573]

A man who, quite despite his personal problems, was one of the greatest and most inspirational leaders Australia has followed. This is the best portrait of him I have seen. Say what you like about him, his policies and his problems, he was worthy of being remembered as Bob Hawke, and that was quite an achievement. One which will very rarely be equaled.

[@thomaselliott573]

Many thanks to the ABC. At times, they can still excel in their role.

[@gortnewton4765]

oh what a pile of crap. Stop romanticising the man. You've got no idea what he really was.

[@thomaselliott573]

@@gortnewton4765 Your name precedes your level of inter-locution and intercourse. You are, of course, a pre- evolutionary form of the newt.

[@sureyyaekinci4630]

@@gortnewton4765 He ıs dead , Show some respect , no one really knows anyone anyway

[@stevefranpimblett8257]

They broke the mold there. We need someone like Bob but I don't think they breed them like that any more.

[@gortnewton4765]

"They broke the mold there" thank goodness.

[@thornbird6768]

They do make them like Hawke but in today’s political climate they don’t stand a chance 😮

[@chrisbell8240]

He tells great jokes to , the three blokes Frenchman, Englishman and Australian. Look it up he is a Aussie legend.

[@remielpollard787]

The world has never seen a man or a leader like Bob, and never will again.

[@peterkirgan6850]

Best modern era pm ever! When he was in power Australians were prosperous country wasn't in debt he was the best !!! Thanks Blanche for looking after him!!! Rip bob

[@seanvisa9325]

He made me like Australians

[@videofreak6047]

The best prime minister ever. RIP Bob, we will all remember you.

[@atmm89]

you have to be so ignoring to the facts during Vietnam days

[@dansurvivalwherever1306]

Interesting life story of Bob. Although I am not australian, I am interested in policy in here. Because I reckon that my 2 home town is Australia. Actually I don't know much about him, but He seems really respectful :) I gotta learn policy more and more. I will keep looking this news.

[@gortnewton4765]

If you want to learn about Australia, definitely don't get it off the ABC or SBS!!!

[@merilynkeillor9417]

Never was...never will be...ONE LIKE YOU HAWKEY❣️

[@gerry9011]

Cheers, old Bob. You served your country well. God Speed.

[@seanoreilly1832]

Why can't we have a man like Bob again

[@phillipdahlenburg4015]

Yes we need a man like him so we can have high interest rates again

[@TheSimpleJoys]

Because unfortunately the country keeps voting in Liberal 😪

[@seanoreilly1832]

@@TheSimpleJoys the Labor party are controlled by the greens now. Impossible to vote for them

[@kobedunn465]

The Simple Joys liberal ain’t that bad mate

[@coopsnz1]

@@phillipdahlenburg4015 higher consumption taxes

[@jackwilliamsmith8734]

A brilliant man! One of Australia’s greatest. Australia seemed to ben blessed to have such a wonderful Prime Minister. I’m not an ALP supporter or even an Australian. I am a British conservative but I follow politics of the CANZUK countries closely and I have enormous respect and particular fondness towards Bob Hawke. He had such profound personal qualities and he achieved a huge lot including some necessary economic reforms for the future. Paul Keating was important to this revolution too and the Hawke-Keating partnership is quite legendary even if it ended bitterly. Blair and Brown are blown out of the water by the Australian pair discussed above.

[@thornbird6768]

Tony Blair was a conservative really 😮 Gordon Brown was a slob of a man , should never have been PM 👎🏻

[@TheHawkie]

The greatest PM this country has ever seen. Simple

[@steidwoodland8210]

He was Very Charismatic. Unfortunately he was also a traitor to Australia.

[@JimChap]

A life well lived for damn sure. It takes someone special to be that loved across the country.for so long.

[@Jack-shoo]

Keep this short. In my lifetime no PM before and no PM since comes close to measure Bob set. Iconic irresistible intellectual political legend of the Australian people. If we ever have another she will be astounding and probably of Asian descent.

[@colinnoble3918]

a truly great man, a great Australian, a great Prime Minister, thank you Bob

[@UDimwit]

You don't seem to know our Constitution, as there is no such thing as a Prime Minister mentioned anywhere within our Constitution..

[@colinnoble3918]

@@UDimwit where you from

[@UDimwit]

@@colinnoble3918 Why do you want to know?

[@colinnoble3918]

@@UDimwit This is Australia, we have Prime Ministers. I just want to ensure you know where you are, so you can find your way home.

[@UDimwit]

@@colinnoble3918 As I have stated, you obviously do not know our original Constitution of 1900 (UK), it mentions nothing of a Prime Minister within it..

[@andrewmiller4885]

The greatest Prime Minister Australia ever had . We miss him so much

[@coopsnz1]

The best Alp had , not best prime minister for middle class

[@colkuskey8657]

Todays aspiring Labor leaders should take a masterclass from Paul Keating. He tore the opposition a new one everytime they dared to poke the bear.😀

[@claymac3176]

Legend...

[@beesplaining1882]

A great leader and a great reformer.

[@MarkMark-ji6ts]

31:40 when Bob sings Danny boy to Hazel and when he turned and left the grandson heard Hazel say under her breath "I love you" Life is such a bumpy ride peace to all.

[@justsandra71]

A real Aussie legend n will never be forgotten. We loved him, still do. R.I.P Uncle Bob...mate 🙏😇❤🌹

[@dougohboy5190]

Are you kidding, you gest.... Subverted our 1901 Commonwealth Constitution, with the un-lawful australia act in 1973 and the fake queen of australia..which is copywrite to the political party... he was a hard core communist and a member of the fabian socolist society and hell bent on distroying australian nationalism and sovereignty . they also stole the 7.5% tax for old age retirement which is $943.oo a fortnight... and put in in there funds... And registered the government as a corporation on the US.SSEC 0000805157.... so they took our assets and offshored them .. and the list of treason is long... WAke the fuck up...

[@UDimwit]

I can forget traitors to the Commonwealth quite easily actually..

[@mellord83]

@@UDimwit u really are a dimwit! Prob another of those Freeman sovtard types

[@UDimwit]

@@mellord83 No, it is just clear to me that you are ignorant and do not know our Constitution.. hence the name UDimwit

[@gortnewton4765]

Just Me. "Uncle Bob" hahahaha, you clown!! He never did anything for Australia, and if you think he did, tell us, please.

[@bojomay2952]

When you an elect a beer drinker as you PM. RIP PM Bob Hawke. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 🍺

[@AllSpace]

love this story forever and ever

[@nazariocursio3414]

RIP ❤️

[@redlion45]

The definition of a true blue Australian hero.

[@peterfeltham5612]

Not overburdened with humility.

[@alch3myau]

Allow human cloning and BRING BOB BACK!

[@rickshempoilaustralia6574]

I remember seeing him at a set of traffic lights in Melbourne in 89 and he was there in the front seat and gave me a thumbs up.

[@surgicalglitch3265]

Thank you Bob.

[@gingermegs138]

Sold Australia out to the Japanese and Chinese in the 80s and 90s when they paid him lots of money to buy Australian Farms dont forget to mention the Betrayal side of him

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Put blacks in power sth afrika a failed state

[@coopsnz1]

Capital gains tax screwed my mother a Business owner , she retired on age pension Blame Bob Hawke for that

[@truthshouldhurt4360]

No mention of the Wood Royal Commission?

[@thomaselliott573]

you are obviously feeling the pressure of your own squalid existence. Piss off.

[@truthshouldhurt4360]

@@thomaselliott573 God bless you too. I'll pray for you.

[@papa20117]

Patriot blood run through his veins👍❤️

[@hismajestyericcartmanthese5755]

I want rename Perth Airport to Perth Bob Hawke International

[@simonovessimon4242]

max gillies made him famous in the 80s. .a very ordinary bloke..les patterson

[@daveyork0]

So proud to have lived in a country where the son of a cockatoo and a koala could grow up to lead 4 successive Governments

[@rosecali3597]

There should be Bob Hawke stamp in Australia.

[@baldbeardedbloke6887]

RIP Bob Hawke.

[@mjgerrard7785]

Most polarising PM this Country has ever had.

[@brianrourke3633]

Australia will never have a leader Mr Bob Hawke again. Never.

[@UDimwit]

Lets hope so, there will be no other traitor submitting the Australia Act without permission or referendum to the House of Lords and the Privy Council

[@chrisobrien1344]

15 friggin shilling! Don't forget that Australians!

[@joshpeters2568]

His daughter asks when he became elected as prime minister oh would dad really be responsible and run the country ....um yeah I'd say so no wonder he spent a lot of time away from his family and eventually moved on

[@smiledon77]

he was my hero Robert aka bob he introduce and float our Aussie dollar ,introduction medicare, true union working man aussie the best prime minister i even know 1991 when Iraq invade Kuwait he sent our best SAS troops RIP BOB

[@markp4668]

I wouldn't give you two bob for politics but I had the utmost respect for Bob Hawke, one of Australia great leaders.

[@Anuanuanu520]

He also continued the persecution of indigenous Australians. Shame!

[@albertchehade9916]

As stated in the movie Troy....(which also starred Eric Bana)......I can state that I lived in the time of Hawke & Keating.......as a schoolkid in Pagewood Sydney.

[@Tirreo]

where is the footage at 1:13 from?

[@eli6656]

We stand upon your shoulders, Bob. Rest in peace comrade.

[@gortnewton4765]

Yeah comrade.

[@Artman1]

He turned me off Labor and i didn't vote for them again until Kevin Rudd.

[@loredelore7286]

The partys over.

[@gwerky]

what a man.

[@crashtestcal6484]

Both he and Keating were so wrong to want to prioritise our relationship with China over United States. Unfortunately, Bob held that position until he died. It was the only thing I disliked about him. I used to love the man. God bless him.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Only thing imperial China is getting ready to pounce on us you buffoon

[@winkwink6478]

☺

[@jadesmith6823]

Legend 🙏🦘❤️

[@gazzafloss]

My dear old Mum always said "never speak ill of the dead", taking that into account I could find nothing to say about Bob...

[@davidturner4610]

I remember he sent Australians reeling with his so called Australia ID card. From memory it was rejected. He called an old man who’s worked hard all his life a “silly old bugger”. But no ones perfect when we suffer from collective amnesia. I still liked bob anyway he was one in a million! I prefer hazel to blanch though.

[@rockynanach]

That Lazy Gamer he was always a bloke you could have a beer mate .

[@silverencrusted9423]

Bob Hawke removed Common English Law , that protected all Australians to Common Law of Australia that has taken away our rights

[@dopaminedreams1122]

@@silverencrusted9423 what does that even mean you scizo

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

@@silverencrusted9423 Australia still has common law though… Oh wait, it appears you want our legal system to be wholly subservient to UK lol

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

Nothing wrong with a national ID card, it should have been implemented long ago. Those against it are just paranoid, it’s no different to obtaining a drivers license or passport.

[@michaelschulz9164]

What a whitewash ..... ask his family about him off camera ..... and check out the terms of his will.

[@potterj09]

How much would it cost to clone him ? :P

[@some_randomninja]

Keating was so up himself. Fancy suits and all. Keating was a good treasurer, not as good a PM. Hawke was the much better PM. RIP Bob from a liberal voter .. Thank you for all you did for Australia

[@gortnewton4765]

Don't you mean, 'thank you for all you did TO Australia'.

[@merilynkeillor9417]

SomeRandom one could tell from the very beginning that the POS (cunting and his clocks) was a snake...saw it in his eyes...!

[@gortnewton4765]

@@merilynkeillor9417 You don't know even 1% of it.

[@Groaker]

Anyone who didn't drink a beer for Bob is a bum.

[@rockynanach]

Rip Bob you beauty mate . Up there with Farlap and Ned .

[@marilynschmidt6400]

@Trousersnake Pliskin Phar lap was a Kiwi horse and Ned was actually the good guy : )

[@ericrogers8519]

he wasn't a tenth as good as Goff Whitlam.

[@brendanmccreanor1191]

Any army reservist soldiers remember what he did in 1983?

[@thornbird6768]

What did he do ? I’m not an Aussie 😮

[@kefelonia1]

He was blessed with such a beautiful smile.

[@adamkane5205]

The hawke of horus. Atum - atm- the u is you. Money is your god

[@leongt1954]

Bob Hawk was an aussie prime minister for aussies not like the politicians we have in the libs and alp now

[@rockynanach]

True right mate

[@TheHawkie]

Hawke

[@keithmitchell3282]

i must have missed something with this imposter ,apart from guzzling beer what did he really achieve ,he used his "rank and file" to get his legs under Kerry Packers dinner table

[@dannnsss8034]

As a minority... Was he for or against racist norms of the time?

[@johnparris2353]

He called a bloke an old bugger and got away with it didn't work 4 me Good on ya sir

[@hismajestyericcartmanthese5755]

I want to rename Perth Airport to Perth Bob Hawke International.

[@smiledon77]

he was good mate

[@trship6274]

Did a great job deregulating the banks.

[@jimhaut480]

Is that a good thing ? YOUR A FOOL!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future peace be with

[@MEMELISI0US]

Rest In Peace

[@prizecowproductions]

He was a prime minister for all Australians unlike this current lot. I give current labour 4 years at best unless they govern like He and Paul Keating did.

[@tehnatureboy]

onya cobber

[@JM-rn8zm]

Great prime minister, will never see another like him, terrible husband and father though!

[@latinmasschoir5581]

No mention here, of the poor baby Hawke and Hazel aborted when he studied in Oxford. RIP their murdered child.

[@jackmeoff1406]

Disgusting individual who put his ever suffering wife and children second best, in much the same way he treated the country disingenuously and contemptuously, I can't remember one major infrastructure project or nation building innovation he or his pathetic successor implemented in all those long painful years.

[@gazzafloss]

You forgot to mention among his attributes "traitor to the cause of unionism", his last breath was the only good thing he did for Australia, that time was just a little long in coming.

[@Artman1]

A lot of similarities with Barnaby Joyce.

[@gazzafloss]

@@Artman1 oh, Barnaby's only a beginner compared to the old pass master Bob.

[@lifelongbachelor3651]

you forgot about him being a drinker and a pants man...

[@OzBloke]

He would have been considered a decent Liberal Leader these days! Great bloke from a better time!

[@jimhaut480]

He sold Australia out mate !

[@Adam-kt7yx]

Hope Keating won’t be too far behind

[@phillipdahlenburg4015]

Hawk,Keating and there high interest rates good on you I was working 70+ hours a week to pay for a house and keep a family why do people forget what these stupid politicians do

[@waynewhite2323]

I'm sure he's looking up at us right now!

[@gortnewton4765]

hahahaha, and he probably is.

[@rockynanach]

With Ned kelly riding Farlap

[@gortnewton4765]

@@rockynanach You don't know Kelly's story or anything about the horse and you definitely know nothing about Hawke. Playing follow the leader isn't useful when the leader is wrong.

[@smiledon77]

he is god aussie

[@russe19642]

The only thing he did wrong was leave hazel,just not on

[@chriswatson1698]

It was the height of arrogance for Bob Hawke to give our heritage away to Chinese students after the Tianmen square incident. The students weren't in danger. I didn't love him.

[@jamesclarke2789]

You can say for certain that they weren't in danger? Like, you have definite proof that they wouldn't have faced reprisals if they returned to China?

[@chriswatson1698]

@@jamesclarke2789 There was no reason to suppose that they would be in danger. It is easy to claim that you are in danger if you want to stay where the living standard is higher. The Chinese students just wanted to continue to get the benefit of generations of Australian taxpaying.

[@jamesclarke2789]

@@chriswatson1698 So there's no reason to suspect that a goverment that had encouraged mass violence, massacres and purging during the Cultural Revolution that only ended 13 years before Tiananmen Square wouldn't do anything to those students?

[@chriswatson1698]

@@jamesclarke2789 Reprisals for what, exactly" They weren't in China when the Tianinmen Square demonstration occurred.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Put blacks in govt sth afrika a failed state hurts me so many comments kiss his ring

[@chrisbell8240]

Vote 1 bob hawke i say .

[@timprosser186]

SELL THE ABC.... SELL THE ABC.... SELL THE ABC.

[@rayrayz4162]

No, just clean it out. Get rid of the shills that manage it. Return the Journalists and fire all the Stenographers that replaced them..

[@gregoryjames4474]

Where do you vote for Bob?

[@bobbellamy3004]

Bob hit Hazel