Bob Hawke’s brutal PM critiques laid bare in new book

Bob Hawke gave unvarnished assessments of his successors, rating Keating’s reforms highly, respecting Howard’s tenacity and praising Gillard’s dignity.

Bob Hawke and Paul Keating in the Prime Minister’s office, which each occupied.

In his final interviews, Bob Hawke gave unvarnished assessments of the prime ministers who succeeded him, rating Paul Keating’s reforms highly, respecting John Howard’s tenacity and praising Julia Gillard’s dignity.

He rated Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull poorly.

The assessments are revealed in a new book, Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, published by Viking on Tuesday.

Every prime minister from Mr Keating to Scott Morrison was interviewed for the book and offered reflections on Hawke’s life and legacy.

Hawke thought Mr Keating led a “good” government, was one of the greatest treasurers and made “a great contribution to Australia”.

Although they had a rollercoaster relationship, there was affection between the two men, Hawke said.

He regarded Mr Howard as the most substantial Liberal leader after Robert Menzies, even though they disagreed on issues such as the Iraq War, workplace relations and the GST.

“He has more tenacity than any other Australian politician,” Hawke said.

His strongest criticism was reserved for Mr Turnbull, whom he said was “not interested in anyone but himself” and sold out his principles on republicanism, climate change and same-sex marriage.

He thought Mr Turnbull was the worst prime minister since Billy McMahon: “I think he has handled himself poorly.”

Hawke disliked Mr Rudd. While he praised the GFC response and the Stolen Generations apology, he thought Mr Rudd was inept at running a government, treated his colleagues appallingly and often showed poor judgment.

“Rudd’s method of government was one which just almost inevitably was going to lead to a (leadership) challenge,” he said.

He had a higher regard for Ms Gillard, noting her impressive post-prime ministerial career, and liked her personally.

John Howard and Bob Hawke

“History will treat (her) reasonably kindly,” he said. “She made mistakes, but no prime minister has ever operated under more difficult parliamentary circumstances.”

While Hawke remained committed to Labor, he had a personal regard for Mr Abbott.

He said he was a “decent” person but judged him to be ”bloody hopeless” as prime minister because he kept “making the same mistakes”.

Before his death, Hawke thought Mr Morrison was unlikely to win the 2019 election ­because of Liberal division and “shenanigans” over leadership, but he did not rule out a ­Coalition victory.

Bob Hawke believed history would judge former PM Julia Gillard kindly. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Morrison, interviewed for the book, praised Hawke highly for modernising the economy and keeping alliances strong, and judged him to be Labor’s greatest prime minister.

“Bob Hawke was larger than life – a true Australian character,” he said.

“Australians loved Bob Hawke and it was a romance played out in every part of this country.”

The book includes Mr Keating’s account of his final meetings with Hawke in 2018. Mr Keating recalled it was not a reconciliation but a recognition of their partnership in government.

“Bob and I had a hugely productive relationship,” Mr Keating said. “While our relationship had its ups and downs, the only real down was over the leadership in 1991.

“Before that, you would call it the odd tremor. By and large we found ourselves in agreement because we were both serious enough to put the country first.

“I never hated Bob, but I think he wanted to make some sort of peace with me before he died.”

Mr Howard, who also visited Hawke in the months before he died, surpassed his predecessor to become the second-longest-­serving prime minister in 2004.

To mark that occasion, they exchanged letters, which are also disclosed in the book.

“We have a number of deep differences on views of domestic and international politics, but I believe that, according to our lights, we have both been motivated by what we are convinced is in Australia’s best interests,” Hawke wrote.

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ORDER NOW: Subscribers save an extra 10 per cent on Troy Bramston’s new book Bob Hawke: Demons And Destiny at theaustralianplus.com.au.