Tributes for Bill Hayden, former governor-general, Labor leader and minister, dead at age 90

Bill Hayden left a legacy of achievement, fighting for economic and social justice, as a minister in two governments, opposition leader and governor-general

Former governor-general Bill Hayden in 2016. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

A state funeral will be held to honour Bill Hayden’s life and legacy in Ipswich, probably in November, following his death at age 90 on Saturday at Ipswich Hospital.

Mr Hayden, who served as Australia’s 21st governor-general, Labor leader and minister in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, was with his wife, Dallas, and three children, Georgina, ­Ingrid and Kirk, when he died.

His health had been declining for the past decade and he was in and out of hospital for strokes, pneumonia, heat exhaustion and broken bones.

He had been cared for at home until a week before his death.

In 2018, Mr Hayden was baptised into the Catholic Church, casting off his atheism.

Sister Angela Mary Doyle, a strong influence in his faith journey, had been with him in the days before his death.

Anthony Albanese praised his service to Australia. “Bill Hayden was notable for his humility,” he said. “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.”

Governor-General Bill Hayden swearing in Paul Keating as Prime Minister. Picture: Anthony Weate/Newspix

Paul Keating, who served in two cabinets with Mr Hayden, said Australia was poorer for his passing. “Bill Hayden was a great servant of Australia,” he said. “Very few Australians have made such a contribution over such a long period.”

John Howard, who served in parliament with Mr Hayden, said he had been a “distinguished” ­governor-general, recognised his “economic competence” as treasurer and respected his “personal integrity”.

Peter Dutton said Mr Hayden was “humble” and ”principled”, adding that he “was an accomplished Labor leader and an ­admirable governor-general.”

As Labor leader (1977-83), Mr Hayden almost took Labor to power but reluctantly made way for Bob Hawke to become leader, and then prime minister weeks later. Mr Hayden said “a drover’s dog” could lead Labor to victory – a final swipe at his nemesis as the axe fell.

Born in 1933, in depression-era Brisbane to working-class parents, Mr Hayden experienced poverty and a violent father. Before being elected to federal parliament in 1961, he had worked as a public service clerk and police constable.

He served as minister for social security (1972-75) and treasurer (1975) in the Whitlam government and was responsible for the introduction of Medibank, new welfare payments and a budget that restored a degree of economic credibility but became deadlocked in the Senate and led to the dismissal of the government by governor-general John Kerr in 1975.

Mr Hayden refused to be drafted into the Labor leadership or serve on the frontbench after the electoral defeat the following month but eventually returned to the shadow ministry.

He launched an ill-fated leadership challenge against Gough Whitlam in 1977 but became Labor leader later that year.

As opposition leader, Mr Hayden remade Labor’s frontbench, recruited new candidates, overhauled its policies and reformed its structures. He was the vital bridge between the Whitlam and Hawke-Keating governments.

Bill Hayden as Governor-General designate with Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1989.

As part of a deal for stepping aside for Hawke on the eve of the 1983 election, Mr Hayden secured a promise to be foreign minister in the next Labor government. As such (1983-88), he supported joint defence facilities, boosted regional bilateral relationships and initiated a peace plan for Cambodia.

In 1987, Mr Hayden raised the prospect of becoming governor-general and Hawke agreed. Mr Howard, then opposition leader, refused to support the appointment. Mr Hayden served in the vice-regal post from 1989 to 1996.

Married to Dallas Hayden (nee Broadfoot) for 63 years, they raised four children. Tragically, the eldest, Michaela, died at age five when struck down by a car outside Sunday school.