Tributes flow in as Bob Hawke remembered fondly by Territorians
NT leaders past and present have remembered Bob Hawke as a prime minister with an unparalleled legacy as a friend of the Territory
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BOB Hawke has been remembered fondly by Territory leaders, past and present.
Tributes from prominent Territorians have remembered Mr Hawke as a guardian of Uluru and Kakadu, a friend of traditional owners and as a prime minister with an unparalleled legacy of progressing Aboriginal rights.
Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, who served under Mr Hawke in Government between 1987 and 1991, remembered Australia’s longest serving Labor prime minister as a leader who “changed our nation forever and for the better”.
“Bob Hawke was a truly great Labor Hero and one of Australia’s greatest leaders,” he wrote on Facebook.
Mr Snowdon hailed Mr Hawke’s “understanding and belief in the Territory”, and his unwavering support of indigenous rights, as characteristics that exalted him above his peers.
“Most importantly he had a great desire to address the concerns and needs of First Australians, setting up ATSIC, advocating for a Treaty as a direct result of a meeting with Land Council leaders at Barunga in 1988,” he said.
DEATH of Bob Hawke: How former PM shook the nation awake
“His final act as Prime Minister was to hang the Barunga Statement in parliament, traditional paintings representing the diversity of Aboriginal people across the Territory with accompanying text calling for the recognition of Aboriginal Rights.”
Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Galarrwuy Yunupingu remembered Mr Hawke as “a very popular leader and a friend of the Yolngu people”.
“His efforts to bridge the gap between black and white Australia were always sincere and continued after the end of his prime ministership,” he said.
“We will remember Mr Hawke fondly, a smile on his face.”
DEATH of Bob Hawke: Ailing Hawkie’s sad premonition
Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Treasurer Nicole Manison remembered Mr Hawke as a leader who inspired them into the political arena.
“Vale Bob Hawke — a great Australian & man of many legacies,” Mr Gunner wrote on Facebook.
“One is the Barunga bark petition; working with TOs & Treaty. This work continues to this day.”
On Twitter Nicole Manison wrote: “The nation has lost a great leader today. It was meeting Bob Hawke at Parliament House in Canberra when I was a young kid that set my interest in politics and pathway into the Labor Party. Such an inspiration. Rest In Peace Bob.”
Alongside a photograph of former director David Ross putting the hard word on Mr Hawke, the Central Land Council posted in praise of Mr Hawke’s legacy, in particular his stewardship of Uluru.
• AUSTRALIA’S best news deal: Subscribe for $1 a week for 12 weeks
“Farewell Bob Hawke, the Central Land Council salutes your achievements and shares some of your regrets. Thank you for listening, for supporting the return of Uluru to its traditional owners and for your backing of the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” the organisation wrote on Facebook.
Tributes to Mr Hawke have already been seen placed outside the Unions NT office on Woods St.
Top End councillor promises ‘open, honest and transparent’ leadership
A Darwin councillor and business owner has promised to stay “open, honest and transparent” to the community if he is elected as lord mayor. Find out what he has in store.
‘A bad, bad man’: Hospital bed confession from Murdoch’s last supporter
Greg Dick — who ran the outback roadhouse where Peter Falconio was last sighted — was one of the few people to back killer Bradley Murdoch. Now there’s something he wants to get off his chest.