Bob Hawke, Australia's 23rd prime minister has passed away at the age of 89.
According to ABC, the Labor Party legend and father-of-three died 'peacefully at home' following the release of a statement from his wife and biographer, Blanche d'Alpuget.
She said that a private funeral would be held ahead of a memorial service which will take place in Sydney in the coming weeks.
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In the statement, she wrote: "Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues," the statement read. We will miss him. The golden bowl is broken."
Bob Hawke has died. A great man who made this country confident. A great man who never lost his humility. Guinness book of records 1954 , 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Rhodes Scholar. Trade Union Leader. Prime Minister. Statesman. Thanks for everything Mr Hawke.
In a statement from Tony Abbott MP, he said: "Bob Hawke was a great prime minister. In my judgement, he was Labor's greatest prime minister. But his key achievements - financial deregulation, tariffs cuts, and the beginnings of privatisation - went against the Labor grain, as Labor's most recent policy direction shows.
"You might almost say he had a Labor heart, but a Liberal head. Certainly, the Coalition supported nearly all his big reforms, helping to make his tenure a time of economic revitalisation.
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"All Australians should mourn someone who changed our country for the better because he was always prepared to argue his case, even if it meant first persuading key people on his own side."
Bob Hawke is a giant of Australian politics. He and Paul Keating internationalised the Australian economy. He established APEC and radically deepened Australia’s engagement with Asia. He established Medicare. Together with Therese and the entire nation, I mourn his passing.
Australia's current prime minister, Scott Morrison, took to Twitter, saying: "Bob Hawke was a great Australian who led and served our country with passion, courage, and an intellectual horsepower that made our country stronger. He was true to his beliefs in the Labor tradition and defined the politics of his generation and beyond.
"He had a unique ability to speak to all Australians and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Bob's widow Blanche and his family. May he Rest In Peace."
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Rest in peace, Bob Hawke.
Featured Image Credit: PA