Page 2570 - Week 07 - Thursday, 1 August 2019
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Another thing well known about the former Prime Minister is that he was a no-nonsense kind of man certainly not known for self-aggrandisement. He, like Gough Whitlam before him, did not accept the appointment to the Privy Council and thus declined the title “the Right Honourable”. Being possibly the most down to earth prime minister Australia has had, not only did he not accept the appointment but he introduced legislation in the form of the Australia Act 1986, which took Australia major steps towards independence from Britain. The acts—there were two; one in Australia and one in the UK—abolished the Privy Council, amongst other things.
The Privy Council existed as a means of appeal from state supreme courts and from the High Court and was even used to bypass the High Court. This may not seem important today, but this change had a dramatic effect on the High Court’s jurisprudence, making it the final court of appeal for all Australian matters.
The act also further clarified our independence from the UK through Britain becoming a foreign power, the effect being that British nationals became ineligible to be members of our federal parliament. Of course, 33 years later we are still watching the rumblings of the ramifications of this legislation as a very live political issue.
Bob Hawke also abolished knights and dames in Australian honours in 1986. It is an interesting subsequent reflection that Prime Minister Howard did not restore them but Prime Minister Abbott did. I raise these issues largely to underline the sense that so many Australians have: Bob Hawke was a very genuine and authentic man. Despite holding the highest office in the land he maintained his ability to relate to the average Australian.
Both before and since his death, much has been written about Bob Hawke. I will quote from one of the eulogies at his memorial service:
… I only knew Bob from a distance.
But in that way, I can reflect and share with you the common remembrance and speak of the affection he inspired from millions of Australians who only knew him in this way … It was a passionate and affectionate relationship between Bob and the Australian people.
They knew each other well.
They forgave each other’s shortcomings.
They understood each other’s virtues.
There was trust, there was faith in each other.
There was also sorrows born and joys shared, great passions, and disappointments.
Destiny was always Bob Hawke’s friend, but it was never a passive or easy relationship.
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