A reforming, quirky politician

Bill Hayden came so near and yet was so far from Australia’s biggest political prize, the prime ministership, in 1983 when he stood aside as Labor leader, for the good of the party and in the face of the unstoppable force that was Bob Hawke. That was despite Mr Hayden’s belief that “a drover’s dog’’ could lead the party to victory over Malcolm Fraser. Mr Hayden, 90, died on Saturday.

His consolation prize from 1983 onwards was to serve as foreign minister, a job he relished. He was later appointed governor-general, a role he sought from Mr Hawke. The latter appointment defined him as his own man and slightly quirky – at the time he was regarded as a staunch republican. Likewise, many years later, did his baptism into the Catholic Church in his mid-80s after being long regarded as an avowed atheist. While probably true, his family home at Ipswich, for many years, had no shortage of theology books – a sign of his broad intellect and interest in subjects outside the everyday hurly-burly of politics.

Born a battler in 1933, in Depression-era Brisbane, Mr Hayden was no stranger to poverty growing up. He also experienced a violent father, yet turned out to be a gentleman himself. Before being elected to federal parliament in 1961, he had worked as a clerk in the public service and as a police constable. As Anthony Albanese said: “Bill Hayden was notable for his humility. Yet there was nothing modest about his ambition for Labor or Australia. This was the quiet strength of character he brought to the cause of progress.”

The establishment of Medibank in the Whitlam era – now known as Medicare – was Mr Hayden’s most enduring social reform. Among the erratic Whitlam ministry, Mr Hayden brought much-needed competence to that colourful but accident-prone government. He served as minister for social security from 1972 to 1975 and as treasurer in 1975. John Howard, who served in parliament with Mr Hayden, recognised his “economic competence” as treasurer and respected Mr Hayden’s “personal integrity”.

More gentle than Mr Hawke, he had a nifty turn of phrase and a good sense of humour. Writing on Monday, Troy Bramston says Mr Hayden was the vital bridge between the Whitlam and Hawke-Keating governments. Serving as opposition leader from 1977 to 1983, he remade the party’s frontbench, recruited new and talented candidates, overhauled policies and reformed party structures. The ALP, and Australians who were served by a reformist, competent team, benefited from his efforts. May he rest in peace.