Labor legend PM Bob Hawke dies aged 89

Bob Hawke, one of the nation's greatest public figures and a hero of the Australian Labor Party, has died on the eve of an election the former prime minister just one day ago predicted would be won by the party he led for nearly a decade.

The Labor legend died on Thursday surrounded by family in his Sydney home, drawing to a close one of the most substantial chapters in Australian political history. He was 89.

"Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era," his wife, Blanche d'Alpuget, said.

"Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues. We will miss him. (NOT)

The golden bowl is broken."

Mr Hawke's death has rocked the federal election campaign.

The former Labor leader, who was prime minister from 1983 to 1991, on Wednesday wrote an open letter to Australians backing Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to win Saturday's election against Prime Minister Scott Morrison

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-legend-bob-hawke-dies-aged-89-20190516-p51o89.html