Fed: Bob Hawke turns 80

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Fed: Bob Hawke turns 80

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Former prime minister Bob Hawke on Wednesday celebrates his 80th birthday.

Mr Hawke, one of the country's most popular leaders, has remained active in political
life since he retired from parliament soon after losing the prime ministership to Paul
Keating in December 1991.

Labor figures gathered to celebrate his birthday last month at a function in Adelaide,
where he was credited with opening up the federal economy to form a fairer society.

In August, he received life membership of the national ALP at the party's national conference.

An emotional Mr Hawke told the gathering that the labour movement and the ALP had been
an "enduring love of my life".

Mr Hawke, who lives in Sydney, is expected to celebrate in private on Wednesday with
family and friends.

Calls to his office were unreturned on Tuesday.

AAP sg/evt/cdh

KEYWORD: HAWKE

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