Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke passes away at 89

Former Australian Prime Minister and Labor Party leader Bob Hawke who dominated the country's politics in the 1980s has died at the age of 89.

The charismatic politician renowned for his love of beer and cricket served from 1983 to 1991 and is credited with modernising the economy.

Hawke was known for his maverick style and will be remembered as Australia's "larrikin" leader ‑ the Prime Minister who loved a drink and joke and made the serious work of politics look like fun.

Tributes are pouring in for a man who was highly popular with the Australian public and led Labor to four election victories.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called him "a great Australian", adding that he had "a unique ability to speak to all Australians and will be greatly missed".

Former Labor PM Julia Gillard tweeted that he was "the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had while Kevin Rudd called him "a giant of Australian politics".

[BBC]

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