HAWKE major tv drama event
Premieres 8.30 Sunday July 18 SCREEN EDUCATION
1 WWW. METROMAGAZINE.COM.AU AUSTRALIAN TEACHERS OF MEDIA SCREEN EDUCATION
2 Hawke is a 95-minute feature film biography of Bob Hawke.
ith eight years in office, of entering politics and proposes to Hawke was Australia’s Blanche, who accepts. But his mother, longest-serving Labor prime the formidable woman who believed Wminister. He became prime – even before he was born – that he minister after only two years in parliament would one day lead the country, dies. – and only one month as leader of the It’s his destiny. And with Liberal prime Opposition. minister Malcolm Fraser dividing the nation, the time is now. But if Bob’s Building on his success as president of going to run, he’ll need a loving wife the Australian Council of Trade Unions, by his side. Hazel, still in love with him, Hawke reached a consensus among agrees to stick with him. In return, Bob the government, unions and business vows to give up the booze and women. to stabilise wage growth, to improve the ability of business to compete in global Blanche, having already abandoned her markets and to deregulate the Austral- own husband, is distraught. But after ian economy and promote growth. licking her wounds, she decides to write Bob’s warts-and-all biography, giving How do you depict these achievements the country an intimate understanding but still focus on the person himself? of their future leader. The book is a huge That’s the challenge that Hawke success, and Paul Keating agrees to addresses. support Bob in a bid for the leadership in return for his own ‘go’ when Bob’s December 1991. Australia’s prime min- had his turn. Bob’s popularity soars, ister, Bob Hawke, is in a secret meeting helping him overthrow Bill Hayden and with his six closest ministers, including carry Labor to a landslide victory in his faithful friend and surrogate son, 1983, flanked, of course, by his new Kim Beazley. Despite their unwavering treasurer and loyal partner, Paul Keat- loyalty, they want him to step down. The ing. Together they introduce some of the battle with his challenger, Paul Keating, most stunning economic reforms of the is destroying the party. But Bob refuses century, and Bob’s popularity reaches to bow to the Keating challenge. an all-time high. Australia loves him and he loves them. 1977. Sideburns. Gaudy suits. Cigars and Fosters. The brilliant, fiery, worka- Then, his private life implodes. His holic president of the Australian Council youngest daughter is addicted to heroin of Trade Unions is hailed by some as and, having just given birth, close to the nation’s messiah. Some say he’s death. Bob, devastated, blames himself. already running the country. As a star For the first time he’s forced to confront negotiator, his big talent is helping war- how his former lifestyle affected those ring factions find common ground – and closest to him. Meanwhile, Paul, initially seducing women, including the young happy to pick up the slack, becomes novelist Blanche d’Alpuget. Despite his unsettled by Bob’s personal issues, talents, Bob fails to weave his magic on growing increasingly impatient for the the Labor Party, clashing with its leader, top job. But after healing his family, Bill Hayden. Bob – with a new sense of humanity – is determined to stay on. He still has However gifted Bob may be, he seems things to do on the world stage. hell bent on self-destruction, with his
drinking continuing to worsen. His long- As Bob fights to maintain the leader- SCREEN EDUCATION suffering wife, Hazel, can no longer bear ship in the days before Paul’s challenge, the humiliation. She knows all about we witness the 1988 leadership pact his affairs and wants a divorce. Fine at Kirribilli House, the prime minister’s with him. Bob buries his lifelong dream Sydney residence. Bob attempts to 3 BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM
Chances are you, as an individual, do not know much about Bob Hawke. How- ever, you may be surprised at how much you know collectively as a class. Brain- storm to list all the ideas and information you have. You can add to this by talking to your families. Then summarise all this information under these headings:
• Personal details buy peace by secretly agreeing to hand • Character and qualities over power after the 1990 election. But • Role in Australian politics after 1990, Bob stalls, forcing an infuri- • Achievements and failures ated Paul to use tough tactics. Bob calls • What he is most remembered for Paul’s actions treachery and announces that their pact is off, setting the stage for You will have a chance to review this list one of the most ferocious political battles after watching Hawke. in Australian history. Now, fuelled by his ‘love affair with the Australian people’, Bob must face his final battle behind EXPLORING IDEAS AND ISSUES closed doors in a secret ballot against IN THE FILM Paul – without the help of the public. Relying solely on his friendships and The film starts on 12 December 1991. allegiances within the party, Bob needs to muster all his reserves to hold onto the Hawke is about to lose the leadership of job he loves, for the country he adores. the Australian Labor Party and thus his position as prime minister. CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY The film will show how Hawke came to be in this position, and in doing so tells Hawke is a film that can be used with senior the story of this significant person in students in a number of curriculum areas: Australian political history.
• History/Politics/Australian Studies An effective way of watching the film - The Australian political system as shown is to focus on a number of significant by the period of the Hawke government scenes, to decide what they are really (1983–1991) showing the viewer and to think about the issues and ideas that they raise. • English
- Creating a biography The table on pages 6–9 of this study • Film/Media Studies guide gives you a guide for doing this.
- Creating a political biography feature film While the film will tell you about the his- Teachers need to be aware that there is strong torical figure of Bob Hawke, it will also language and some nudity in the film. raise many questions and issues that can be explored by having your local member of parliament visit your class.
Some of the questions ask you to do some further research. You will find a starting point for these in the ‘Timeline’ on pages 14–15 and the ‘Summary of
SCREEN EDUCATION key issues’ on pages 16–18.
4 SCREEN EDUCATION
5 Time / Scene Summary of the scene Aspects to consider and discuss
00:00 We start at the end of the story – Hawke What do you think must have happened for the party to be Leadership is about to lose the challenge to his lead- considering replacing him? challenge, ership from Keating. Hawke’s tactic is to December 1991 force a vote that he hopes he will win. We do not see what the problem is. Research it to find out.
04:30 Here we see Hawke before he runs for What do we learn about Hawke’s vision for Australia? What 1977 ACTU parliament. At this point, he holds the do we learn about his power before his decision to enter par- congress position of president of the Australian liament? Why would he give up that position? What qualities Council of Trade Unions. of leadership do we see here?
We also see Hawke as a womaniser. Should people’s private lives be relevant in their political lives and, as a result, be made public? Explain why or why not.
07:45 What do we learn from this scene about Vision is considered important, but vision depends upon With Blanche Hawke’s ideas and ideals? a person’s individual values.
Look at the current parties, define their core values and see how these are reflected in some of their main policies.
A current idea is that a political party must be able to create
SCREEN EDUCATION an effective narrative to persuade voters to support them. A narrative is a way of telling a story that gives coherence and appeal to a party’s policies. See if you can describe the nar- rative that each major party is trying to present.
6 Time / Scene Summary of the scene Aspects to consider and discuss
09:35 We are introduced to Hawke’s wife, Hazel, This scene suggests that Hawke’s mother has had a vision of In Perth for the first time, as well as his parents, him as a leader of the nation. especially his mother. Here is an extract from Hawke’s memoirs: What qualities do we see in Hawke here? Without a doubt, the most significant turning point in my life was in my first year at university … while I was on the way home I had this blackout, and was thrown off the motorbike … I was on the critically ill list for days and my life was literally in the balance … I had a very strong feeling that my life had been spared for a reason and I decided I was going to make the most of it.1
Why might the film stress his mother’s ‘vision’ of him as a leader rather than his own explanation?
12:15 This scene shows Hawke’s vision, and his The Prices and Income Accord was a policy that required Parliament preparedness to replace Bill Hayden as cooperation between unions, employers and the govern- House ALP leader to achieve it. ment to provide fair wage increases while also keeping price increases reasonable. It was seen as a win-win-win situation What does this show us about Hawke? for all Australians. What qualities would be needed for such a cooperative approach to work?
13:15 Here we see Hayden failing to push for The ALP has strong and well-defined factions – a radical ALP the accord that Hawke believes will save left-wing one, a moderate right-wing one and a centrist one. conference Australia from division and conflict. The need to keep factions happy often results in people being promoted who are not necessarily the best candidates, What qualities do we see in Hawke here? but who will maintain the existing balance between factions. Hawke did not have any strong factional alliance. How could this both help and hinder him? How does it show the need for a Labor leader to be in touch with and responsive to the moods and requirements of the party room – that is, all mem- bers of parliament?
15:10 We see Hawke disillusioned after his Why are minders (political advisers hired by a party or indi- At home failure at the ALP conference, ready to vidual minister) significant figures in modern politics? They give up his parliamentary ambitions. are not elected, but can exercise great power and influence. What does it show of the role of Jean, his Is this appropriate and democratic? ‘minder’?
19:35 We see Hawke again describing his vision Unions are major contributors to and supporters of the ALP. With Blanche of reconciliation in Australia between Does this give them undesirable access to and influence over unions and employers. the formation of ALP policies?
21:15 A party in the pool at Hawke’s home sug- Should a person’s individual morality be a relevant factor in Party gests he is still a playboy. them being a political representative?
23:25 There is more discussion about the chal- Should a politician in this position do what’s best for the 13 December lenge and whether Hawke should resign party or what’s best for the individual? An interesting case 1991 before being dumped. Hawke decides to study to research is former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello. fight on. Should he have challenged John Howard as prime minister? Failing to challenge may have cost the Liberal Party the 2008 election. SCREEN EDUCATION 27:00 A Jewish leader advises Hawke that the How important is personal ambition in a political leader? Is it Synagogue, factions within the ALP might destroy him okay to have personal ambition or must it be ambition for the 1979 and not allow him to fulfil his ambitions – benefit of the nation? to the loss of the nation. 7 Time / Scene Summary of the scene Aspects to consider and discuss
28:00 Hawke decides to run for parliament. He Why does Hawke decide to do these things? What does it tell Decision to knows that he needs to remain married us about his priorities and ambitions? Do you think it fair and stand and to Hazel to do so, and thus must dump reasonable that the public demands this sort of private morality meeting with Blanche. (or appearance of ‘normality’) of its leaders? Blanche
31:05 We see the idea that a biography will be a During 2010 Prime Minister Rudd’s popularity declined, pos- Wins seat good strategy to defuse potential prob- sibly because people did not really know who he was or what of Wills lems by admitting personal weaknesses he stood for. Should we know about the private lives and up front. character of those who lead us?
35:20 Hawke suggests that he should be leader Is this a cynical approach towards the leadership of the nation Parliament and of the party because of his popularity (organising it through back-room deals)? Or is it a realistic agreement with and because only he can carry the nation way of maintaining stability and effectiveness within a govern- Keating, 1980 forward. He then gets Keating to agree to ment and for controlling ambitions that might otherwise be support his leadership ‘for two terms’ as disruptive to the nation? prime minister before Keating takes over.
39:50 Blanche tells Hawke he did the right thing All politicians sacrifice aspects of their personal lives for their Book launch sacrificing her for his political progress. position. Is this praiseworthy self-sacrifice, or is it just pursu- ing personal ambitions and making choices?
41:10 Keating puts his factional support behind Hayden later said a ‘drover’s dog’ could have won the 1983 Keating offered Hawke and Hayden steps down. Fraser election for Labor. Research this election and decide if the position of calls an election on the same day. ALP would have won with Hayden as leader. treasurer
43:20 We see Hawke campaigning on the prom- How important is the party leader in elections today? Do we 1983 election ise that he can bring Australia together. focus too much on the leaders of the main parties? You can analyse the next election campaign and test your ideas.
46:07 Hawke calls a national summit that brings Hawke’s actions at this time included floating the dollar and National Eco- Australian economic leaders together to creating more jobs. Research how Hawke achieved these and nomic Summit, create a workable way forward. He breaks their effects on the economy. 1983 through tradition and ‘rules’ about who can use the parliamentary chamber to achieve this, showing his determination and his effective radicalism.
48:03 While about to meet the prime minister of What does this scene suggest about both the sacrifices that a Discovery of Malaysia, Hawke learns about his daugh- leader makes in achieving high office, and the need to be able daughter’s ter’s drug addiction. We see her return to put personal issues aside to continue being an effective drug addiction. with her new child and Hawke’s exclusion leader? ‘You don’t cease to be a father,’ Hawke says. Has he? Hawke breaks from the scene, as well as an interview in down during an which he famously cried. interview SCREEN EDUCATION
8 Time / Scene Summary of the scene Aspects to consider and discuss
58:36 Hawke is playing with his grandchild. At Do we expect our leaders to put their jobs first? Do we force Three years this point he is still betting, but in a con- them to sacrifice their family closeness for the job? later trolled way. However, we also see Hazel do an interview to help him, and his son changes his name.
1:00:00 Keating raises the leadership issue. An Hawke stresses the belief that Australia wanted and needed New Parlia- agreement is reached at Kirribilli that his style of leadership, and that Keating’s style would not be ment House, Hawke will step down if he wins the 1990 acceptable to the people. How important is our perception of 17 December election. our leaders in their popularity? Do we place too much empha- 1988 sis on image rather substance?
1:07:00 Hawke resumes his affair with Blanche. Imagine that this had become public knowledge. What impact With Blanche would it have had? Why did the press keep it secret? Should they have done so?
1:10:15 We see issues about mining in Antarctica, Is Keating justified in wanting to take over or is it ‘treachery’? 1990 election going to war in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, economic problems looming and Keating’s ‘Placido Domingo’ speech in which he implied that he was the real leader.
1:15:04 Jean Sinclair, Hawke’s private secretary, How do we remember Hawke? Is this memory likely to be 1991 Jean’s announces that she has cancer. Hawke influenced by this film? cancer questions his own effectiveness as a leader and asks whether people will remember him.
1:18:47 Hawke signs a treaty to protect Antarctica One of Hawke’s legacies is his commitment to the environ- Antarctic treaty against mining, despite opposition from ment. Research and report on his achievements and possible the US and Britain. failures in this area.
1:20:20 We see Hawke losing the challenge, but Why does Hawke continue to fight in the face of certain 18–19 fighting to the end. Keating wins fifty-six defeat? December 1991 votes to fifty-one, forcing Hawke to resign
as leader and therefore prime minister. SCREEN EDUCATION
1:30:20 We see Hawke’s farewell to parliament as The final scene shows an empty chair. Is this an appropriate Final scene prime minister. symbol? in Parliament House 9 Reflecting on Hawke own as Bob built his career through hard work, long hours and the development 1. What key qualities of Bob Hawke of many political and professional net- does the film reveal? What weak- works. Hazel also worked as a welfare nesses? Do you think you would volunteer at Melbourne’s Brotherhood of like to know the man? St Laurence and studied for a Diploma of Welfare Studies. 2. What main aspects of the inner workings of politics does the film While Hazel’s life was firmly centred on reveal? family, activities and friendships were structured around the Australian Council 3. A key issue raised in Hawke is the of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Labor conflict between the personal and Party. Over the decade of Hawke’s ACTU public lives of political figures. Do presidency, the family visited Adelaide for you think the media ought to reveal every Labour Day weekend, staying with aspects of politicians’ private lives the family of Labor Party member Mick or are these irrelevant to their pub- Young. From the 1960s, with Bob’s rise lic role? to public prominence, Hazel dealt with a wide range of people who wanted him to 4. One of the themes in the film is the fix their problems. She was also an active cost of political life for families. Do participant in his four successful election you have sympathy for them or is it campaigns between 1980 and 1990, as a choice that they willingly make? well as the successful 1972 campaign of Gough Whitlam. 5. The filmmakers had to make many decisions about how to tell this When Hawke was elected to federal story most effectively. Discuss how parliament in 1980, Hazel found that she the film works, including the follow- was entitled to six annual return airfares ing aspects: to Canberra. She shared the view of other • style ‘political wives’, that there was little joy in • structure such visits: ‘they feel like outsiders in that • casting incestuous scene’. She was sensitive to • script the difficulties of political families once • integration of historic material. their private lives were under constant public scrutiny, and she was well aware 6. How is Hazel Hawke presented in the of the high expectations of community film? How would you describe her? service from politicians’ wives.
7. Now read this summary and decide Hazel enjoyed her time at the Lodge if you would change your answer (1983–91) as the wife of the prime above. minister. She had the time and support to pursue her interests in community Hazel Masterson was born in Perth in work, women’s and children’s affairs, and 1929. She met Bob Hawke through their music. For the first time in her married life church activities – she was secretary of she had staff help and an acknowledge- own speeches but then began to find the Congregational Youth Fellowship; he ment of her personal and political con- demands on her too great, despite the was president. At Oxford University, she tributions to the partnership. Her official help of an official secretary. She then typed his thesis while he wrote it. This workload was heavy and she shifted from drew on briefing notes provided by was a division of labour that persisted a closely guarded private life into active relevant federal agencies, such as the through their marriage – Hazel was a campaigning for many causes. Office for the Status of Women. behind-the-scenes manager while Bob was in the limelight. Typical of her many speeches was an Hazel Hawke was patron of many wel- address delivered at the National Press fare, education, arts, and environmental In 1956, when they married and moved Club in Canberra in January 1984 when organisations. Most notable during her
SCREEN EDUCATION to Canberra, she worked at the Indian she spoke about women, Aboriginal eight years at The Lodge was her work High Commission. They lived in Mel- people, social welfare and changes for the Australiana Fund and her sympa- bourne from 1958 to 1983, where she in her life since her husband became thetic restoration of the building’s interior. raised their three children, often on her Prime Minister. At first she wrote her The Australiana Fund, started by Tamie
10 Fraser, used donations to collect Austral- When Bob Hawke resigned his par- Own Life, in 1992. Three years later, the ian art and furniture for the four official liamentary seat on 20 February 1992, couple divorced and Hazel Hawke’s residences – Government House and The caucus moved a motion acknowledging public role increased. She continued to Lodge in Canberra, and Admiralty House not only his years of leadership, but also be a sought-after and high-profile public and Kirribilli House in Sydney. Hazel Hawke’s contribution to the party speaker and an active leader in commu- and to the nation. nity, environment and arts organisations. Among Hazel Hawke’s achievements was finding and arranging for the resto- That year the Hawkes moved to Sydney Hazel Hawke was appointed chair of the ration of The Lodge’s original Australian- to live, planning extensive renovations New South Wales Heritage Council and made Beale piano. Hazel Hawke also to the harbour-side home they had travelled widely throughout the state,
fitted out a room on the mezzanine bought to replace their much-loved speaking in support of heritage conser- SCREEN EDUCATION landing of The Lodge as her office. She official residence in Sydney, Kirribilli vation. Amongst many other positions, remembered this as her favourite room, House. Hazel Hawke also completed she was also a board member of the where she spent most of her time. and published her autobiography, My Australian Children’s Television Foun-
11 you think they have succeeded? Amanda Buckley: Write a critical review of the film. His abilities as a consensus Cabinet chair- 11. Go back to your original brainstorm. man were widely praised by Ministers … What would you now change? Ministers praised Hawke’s powers of con- centration on difficult issues, his ability to 12. What do you think are the main cut through the verbiage to the issues, his things you have learned from ‘infinite patience’. Hawke presided over Hawke about the Australian demo- a first-rate Cabinet of people with strong cratic political system? ideas and sound policy backgrounds who had been waiting for a long time to get 13. Here are some assessments of their hands on the levers: these perform- Hawke, including some by Hawke ers won media profiles in their own right. himself. Do you think the film has They seemed very sure that they had given you a sense of these? done the right thing in elevating Hawke. He paid them the compliment of giving dation and a patron of the World Wide Bob Hawke: them a lot of freedom.4 Fund for Nature. If I can sum up … in one sentence Barry Jones: In 1999, Hazel Hawke announced the I would say that our governments, in donation of her personal papers docu- the best traditions of our party, created In 2003 Hawke set to put what he saw as menting her time at The Lodge to the a more compassionate society and a his achievements: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library more efficient economy at home and a (JCPML) at the Curtin University of more independent and respected nation The economic legacy – floating the dollar, Technoloy in Perth, Western Australia. abroad.2 entry of foreign banks, reduced protec- She was born and raised in Western tion, coming to grips with the global Australia. Bob Hawke: economy
In recognition of the achievements of her As I mixed with Australians from all walks Bringing Australia together – consensus, public life, Hazel Hawke was awarded of life and of every station, they came to not confrontation the Order of Australia on 11 June 2001. reciprocate the sincerity of my feelings. They respected my talents and could International relations – changing Asian
10. The makers of Hawke were con- scious that many young people
SCREEN EDUCATION know little about Bob Hawke. So they had to ‘tell a story that both introduced him and explained a life- time of relationships and achieve- ments in ninety-five minutes.’ Do 12 SCREEN EDUCATION
13 Timeline
1929 Hawke born in Bordertown, SA, the younger of two sons of Clem, a Congregational Minister, and Ellie, a teacher.
1939 The family moves to WA after the death of Hawke’s eighteen-year-old brother, Neil.
1953 Hawke graduates from university and goes to Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship.
1956 Returns to Australia, marries Hazel Masterson and moves to Canberra.
1958 Employed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in Melbourne.
1963 Unsuccessful election campaign for the federal seat of Corio.
1969 Elected as president of the ACTU.
1973 Elected as federal president of the Labor Party.
1980 Though not in parliament, Hawke is voted as more popular for prime minister than Malcolm Fraser, the serving prime minister, and Bill Hayden, the leader of the Labor Party.
Wins the seat of Wills in the federal election
Appointed Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Employment and Youth Affairs.
1982 Unsuccessfully challenges Hayden for leadership of the ALP.
1983 Hayden steps down as leader and Hawke is voted as his successor.
The same day Fraser calls an election.
The ALP campaign successfully under the slogan ‘Bringing Australia together’.
The ALP wins landslide victory, the greatest Labor win since 1943, and Hawke becomes prime minister.
In an early example of his consensus approach, Hawke calls a meeting of leaders of business, gov- ernment and trade unions. The meeting discusses economic strategy, the approach to unemploy- ment and inflation, and a prices and incomes accord.
The yacht Australia II wins the America’s Cup. It is the first challenger to remove the 132-year-old trophy from the US.
The Hawke government deregulates the Australian dollar. Rather than the Reserve Bank determining its value, the international money market now sets the exchange rate.
1984 The Medicare universal health scheme begins operating, financed by a 1 per cent levy on incomes.
Charles Perkins becomes the first Indigenous Australian to head a Commonwealth department after being appointed Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. SCREEN EDUCATION ‘Advance Australia Fair’ is proclaimed Australia’s national anthem. This followed a decade of ongo- ing debate, a national opinion poll in 1974 and a plebiscite in 1977. At the same time, green and gold are proclaimed Australia’s national colours.
14 The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia is established. It is a response to widespread concern about adequate disposal of radioactive substances, the effects of exposure to ionising radiation and the impact on traditional owners’ use of their lands.
1985 Governor-general Sir Ninian Stephen formally hands Pitjantjatjara traditional owners the title deeds to the Uluru area. The arrangement requires a lease-back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and joint management by members of the local Mutitjulu community and the service.
Labor is re-elected in the December federal election, but with a much-reduced majority.
1986 Australian law becomes independent of British parliaments and courts. Seven laws enacted by the states, British government and the Commonwealth government sever the constitutional tie to Britain. The Australia Act 1986 ends the inclusion into Australian law of British parliamentary Acts and abol- ishes remaining provisions for appeals from Australian courts to the Privy Council.
1987 Labor wins an historic third successive election, increasing its majority in the House of Representa- tives from sixteen to twenty-four seats.
1988 Queen Elizabeth II ceremonially opens Australia’s new Parliament House in Canberra above the pro- visional Parliament House opened by her father in 1927. Her grandparents had opened Australia’s first parliament in Melbourne in 1901.
Enactment of Industrial Relations Act 1988 provides for the implementation of the government’s industrial relations reforms. It repeals the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904 when it comes into effect the following year.
1989 Bill Hayden is appointed governor-general (until 16 February 1996).
Indonesian and Australian representatives sign the Timor Gap Treaty. It establishes a zone of cooperation in an oil-rich undersea area where the continental shelf extending from Java meets the northern Australian continental shelf.
1990 The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission begins work. It is the result of a merger between the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Development Commission.
Despite a swing to the Coalition, the Labor Party again wins the election.
1991 The Iraqi army is defeated after US ground attacks. These follow Operation Desert Storm, a massive air strike against military targets in Iraq. Australia sends three warships to support the US-led UN forces in response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi troops in August 1990.
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody releases its final report, outlining 339 recommendations.
Successful challenge by Keating
1992 Hawke resigns from parliament, takes up business and media pursuits.
1994 Publication of the Hawke Memoirs.
1995 Hawke divorces Hazel and marries Blanche. SCREEN EDUCATION
15 The government’s policies strength- ened business enterprise in Australia, dampening the usual tension between that sector and a Labor government. Instead, Hawke faced internal conflict arising from persistent left-wing criticism that he had ‘hijacked’ the Labor Party and moved it to the right. His friend- ships with leading businessmen such as Peter Abeles added fuel to these criticisms. Consensus and the Summary of key issues economy Labor came to power in 1983 and inherited a deficit of $9 billion. This economic crisis informed much of the Bob Hawke led the Australian Labor Just as the election slogan ‘Bring- Hawke government’s policy-making. Party’s return to office in the election ing Australia together’ promised, Bob The priority was to restore economic on 5 March 1983 and to a record four Hawke’s ‘consensus’ style was evident and employment growth by reducing terms with election wins in 1984, 1987 from the outset. A month after taking inflation. Hawke, and his treasurer Paul and 1990. Hawke proceeded with some office, the government held a National Keating, regarded good management caution in moving the Labor Party to Economic Summit in Canberra between of the ailing economy as vital. Both also the middle ground, drawing upon his 11 and 14 April 1983. The summit believed the only solution lay in finding a wide popularity to win consensus for involved unions, employer organisa- structural and policy path that accom- the government’s systematic economic tions and political parties at both the modated both labour and business. reforms. federal and state levels, and aimed to form a national consensus on economic This path was designed to increase the The key issues of the Hawke gov- policy. Hawke’s links with business, built efficiency and competitiveness of Aus- ernment were globalisation, micro- up during his twenty-two years at the tralian industry. Complementary indus- economic reform and industrial relations. ACTU, were an effective foundation for trial relations policies involved award The opening of Australian finance and such an approach, if an unusual one for restructuring and the introduction of industry to global competition and the a Labor prime minister. enterprise bargaining. Despite the irony restructuring of the role of trade unions of a former trades union leader intro- represented one of the most extensive The Prices and Incomes Accord with ducing these revolutionary changes, the undertakings of micro-economic reform the trade unions had been forged before Prices and Incomes Accord reduced in Australia’s history. Though two million the election and announced during the industrial disputes, increased the social new jobs were created, the changes campaign in February 1983. Improve- wage and gave workers access to also contributed to a recession. By 1992 ments in economic performance were superannuation. unemployment had reached 11 per cent, pursued by other consultative means, the highest level since the Depression. including the 1985 Tax Summit, the Financial assistance to low-income fam- Economic Planning Advisory Council ilies was also increased. This achieve- Hawke’s links with business and with and the Australian Labour Advisory ment was overshadowed by Hawke’s trade unions, which were both devel- Council. The level of industrial dispute characteristically buoyant claim that ‘By oped during his long career with the dropped and the only prolonged dispute 1990 no Australian child will be living in
SCREEN EDUCATION ACTU, helped achieve the necessary was with airline pilots in 1989. The poverty’. The government also adopted agreements for these reforms. Critics Hawke government intervened to end policies integrating employment, educa- complained that Hawke had ‘hijacked’ the dispute in order to protect general tion and training, and acted to improve the Labor Party and moved it to the pay restraint. school retention rates. right. 16 The Whitlam government’s Medibank scheme had been partially dismantled under the Fraser government. Hawke established a new, universal system of health insurance called Medicare. The government also obtained agree- ment with the states on a single-gauge national rail system.
The consensus rather than confrontation approach was also effective with voters. The Hawke government was re-elected in 1984, 1987 and 1990 in campaigns described as increasingly presidential. Four successive terms represented a record for a Labor government and reflected Hawke’s considerable and persisting popularity.
Hawke was a great celebrator and made the most of commemorative opportuni- ties. Although a contentious national anniversary, the Hawke government encouraged Australia-wide celebrations of the 1988 bicentenary of the arrival of the First Fleet. The year-long celebra- tions included the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra on 9 May 1988. Malcolm Fraser had formally initi- ated construction in January 1981 after architects Mitchell/Giurgola won the design competition. Hawke had cer- emonially laid the foundation stone on 4 October 1983.
Globalisation and the economy
The greatest impact of the Hawke government flowed from the economic reforms that abandoned the traditional Labor reliance on tariffs to protect in- dustry and jobs. During its term from 1983 to 1991, the government reduced the protection of Australian business and industry, increasing competition and at the same time achieving improved employment participation. Efficiencies in the tax system were also introduced.
In its first five years, from 1983 to 1987, the government decided on the moves to deregulate Australia’s financial sys-
tem. This involved floating the Australian SCREEN EDUCATION dollar (rather than tying its value to a gold standard or to another currency) and removing controls on foreign exchange. Direct controls on Austral- 17 ian interest rates were also removed the Commonwealth responsibility for all his first term). The government devel- and foreign competition in banking was places listed as world heritage areas. oped a National Agenda for Women permitted. In its third term, from 1987 to The government moved for world herit- and established the Affirmative Action 1989, the Hawke government abolished age listing of Tasmania’s forests and Agency. The Sex Discrimination Act Australia’s two-airline policy, removed north Queensland’s rainforests. 1984 made gender discrimination in export controls on bulk commodities workplaces illegal. and extended general tariff reductions. The contentious issue of uranium mining, which had contributed to Bill Reforms introduced from 1990 to 1991 Hayden’s loss of leadership, became International affairs included another crucial change – open- an environmental issue under Hawke. ing Australia to competition in the tel- The government banned new uranium Bill Hayden served as Minister for For- ecommunications industry. As well, the mining at Jabiluka, on the western eign Affairs in the Hawke government reduction of all tariffs to 5 per cent and border of Arnhem Land in the Northern until he resigned from parliament on the phasing out of textile, clothing and Territory, and gave a highly publicised 17 August 1988 to become governor- motor vehicle protection was introduced. priority to the world heritage listing of general. Senator Gareth Evans, a Hawke Kakadu National Park. protégé, then took over the portfolio. Hawke favoured a ‘personal diplomacy’ Environment to raise Australia’s international profile Human rights in the United States, Russia, China, The Hawke government followed the Japan and South East Asia. Hawke also Whitlam government’s increased em- Hawke took steps towards reconcili- continued to be an active supporter phasis on protecting the environment. ation with Indigenous Australians and of peace negotiations in the conflict Like Whitlam, Hawke used the instru- proposed a treaty. In 1989, the Depart- between Palestine and Israel. ment of Section 52 of the Australian ment of Aboriginal Affairs was replaced Constitution, the ‘external affairs power’. with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait In 1990, Hawke faced his least expected The decision of the High Court in the Islander Commission as the main but most demanding international Franklin Dam case in 1983 meant that administrative and funding agency for challenge, the Gulf War. The Australian although the states had control over Indigenous people. government promptly supported UN their own land matters, when Australia sanctions when Iraq invaded Kuwait, became party to international agree- The Hawke government also addressed and sent navy ships, then troops, to join
SCREEN EDUCATION ments for environmental protection, the issue of gender inequity. Senator UN forces against Iraq. federal laws would override state laws. Susan Ryan was appointed Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the
Paul Kelly, The Hawke Ascendancy, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2008.
Neal Blewett, ‘Robert James Lee Hawke’ in Michelle Grattan (ed.), Aus- tralian Prime Ministers, New Holland Publishers, Sydney, 2000. SCREEN EDUCATION
19 Hawke premieres 8.30pm Sunday July 18 on TEN
This study guide was written for ATOM by Robert Lewis
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