Hawke reportedly died peacefully in his home and is remembered as one of the nation’s greatest leaders.
“Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era,” his wife Blanche d’Alpuget said in a statement.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said the former prime minister was “loved” by all Australians.
“Bob Hawke loved Australia and Australia loved Bob Hawke. But his legacy will endure forever,” he 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.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised him as one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers.
“His achievements will be spoken of in the days ahead but the thing Australians will remember most about him was the bloke,” Mr Morrison said.
His passing comes just two days before the election, with Labor predicted to return to government.
Mr Hawke was Labor’s most successful federal leader, leading the country from 1983 to 1991, but was known as much for his larrikinism as he was his policies that helped modernise post-war Australia.
The Australian Financial Review - 14 hours ago
ABC News - 15 hours ago
Hawke backs Shorten as 'consensus' leader in new open letter
The Sydney Morning Herald - 14 May 2019
