BOB HAWKE
Bob Hawke, Australia’s longest-serving Labour Party prime minister, whose charisma and powers of persuasion earned him nearfolk hero status among many Australians, has died at the age of 89.
The former union leader dedicated much of his political career to trade union issues, and he was widely regarded as a man of his people. He had a down-toearth attitude, a passion for sports and legendary status among beer lovers, for once drinking himself into the record books.
He won four terms as prime minister, serving from 1983 to 1991.
Actor Russell Crowe was among those paying tribute to “a great man who never lost his humility”.