Prominent Labor Leader and Former Governor-General Bill Hayden passes away at 90
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It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of the illustrious Bill Hayden (90), a poignant figure in Australian politics and the nation's 21st Governor-General.
He leaves behind an indelible legacy that shaped Australia's political landscape and continues to resonate in contemporary policy reforms.
Bill Hayden first served as a minister under Gough Witlam’s government and then led Labor in opposition from 1977 to 1983. He then served as a Foreign Minister in Bob Hawke’s government before being sworn in as Australia’s Governor-General from 1989 to 1996.
He also briefly served as the nation's treasurer, further cementing his multi-faceted political career.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mourned the passing of Mr Hayden, who will be farewelled with a state funeral.
He emphasised in his statement that Mr Hayden was a labor legend that laid the groundwork for the sweeping reforms actively pursued by the Hawke-Keating administrations.
'If Bill Hayden left no other legacy than as a key architect of universal healthcare, he would still stand for all time as a legend of our labour movement and a great contributor to our nation,' Prime Minister Albanese said.
'In a time of forceful personalities, Bill Hayden was notable for his humility.’
'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.’
'When the story of that generation is told, history should record that without Bill Hayden championing and building Medibank, there could have been no Medicare,’ he continued.
'Without Bill Hayden's commitment to budget discipline, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating would have found it harder to forge ahead with economic reform.'
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating praised Mr Hayden and called him 'a great servant of Australia'.
'Political circumstances denied Bill Hayden the prime ministership but the Hawke government in which he served as foreign minister was set up and shaped by him as leader of the parliamentary Labor Party,' he shared.
'And the economic personnel he put in place were the building blocks the Hawke government relied upon to shift the country's policy to the economic rationalism which has since made Australia so flexible and so wealthy.’
'Very few Australians have made such a contribution over such a long period. The country is poorer for his passing.'
Prime Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek also paid her respects to the esteemed politician and shared her photo with Mr Hayden and his wife Dallas on social media, saying: 'Bill Hayden was smart, loyal, principled and wise.'
'He was passionate about the Labor party and determined to make Australia a fairer place. Labor leader. Treasurer. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Governor General. Architect of Medibank. Author of the single mother pension. An advocate for equality and LGBTIQA rights.'
'Our country has lost a giant. He will be missed.'
You can read her full post below:
Source: X/@tanya_plibersek.
Bill Hayden leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning decades and a nation that owes much for his service. He is survived by his wife, Dallas, and their three children.
Our thoughts are with Bill Hayden’s family, friends, and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.
He leaves behind an indelible legacy that shaped Australia's political landscape and continues to resonate in contemporary policy reforms.
Bill Hayden first served as a minister under Gough Witlam’s government and then led Labor in opposition from 1977 to 1983. He then served as a Foreign Minister in Bob Hawke’s government before being sworn in as Australia’s Governor-General from 1989 to 1996.
He also briefly served as the nation's treasurer, further cementing his multi-faceted political career.
Former Governor-General Bill Hayden has passed away at age 90. Image source: Australian News and Information Bureau, National Archives of Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mourned the passing of Mr Hayden, who will be farewelled with a state funeral.
He emphasised in his statement that Mr Hayden was a labor legend that laid the groundwork for the sweeping reforms actively pursued by the Hawke-Keating administrations.
'If Bill Hayden left no other legacy than as a key architect of universal healthcare, he would still stand for all time as a legend of our labour movement and a great contributor to our nation,' Prime Minister Albanese said.
'In a time of forceful personalities, Bill Hayden was notable for his humility.’
'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.’
'When the story of that generation is told, history should record that without Bill Hayden championing and building Medibank, there could have been no Medicare,’ he continued.
'Without Bill Hayden's commitment to budget discipline, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating would have found it harder to forge ahead with economic reform.'
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating praised Mr Hayden and called him 'a great servant of Australia'.
'Political circumstances denied Bill Hayden the prime ministership but the Hawke government in which he served as foreign minister was set up and shaped by him as leader of the parliamentary Labor Party,' he shared.
'And the economic personnel he put in place were the building blocks the Hawke government relied upon to shift the country's policy to the economic rationalism which has since made Australia so flexible and so wealthy.’
'Very few Australians have made such a contribution over such a long period. The country is poorer for his passing.'
Prime Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek also paid her respects to the esteemed politician and shared her photo with Mr Hayden and his wife Dallas on social media, saying: 'Bill Hayden was smart, loyal, principled and wise.'
'He was passionate about the Labor party and determined to make Australia a fairer place. Labor leader. Treasurer. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Governor General. Architect of Medibank. Author of the single mother pension. An advocate for equality and LGBTIQA rights.'
'Our country has lost a giant. He will be missed.'
You can read her full post below:
Source: X/@tanya_plibersek.
Bill Hayden leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning decades and a nation that owes much for his service. He is survived by his wife, Dallas, and their three children.
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