Hazel Hawke written out in biased history

Michael Duffy introduced an Amendment Bill strengthening the Broadcasting Television Act and affirming the Tribunal's powers to impose quotas and standards. Without this legislation the children's television production industry could not have become the successful domestic and international business it did.

In the D’Alpuget biography Hazel is credited with “hitting it off” with Barbara Bush. Indeed she did. And in January 1992 Barbara Bush visited the ACTF in Melbourne, giving the Early Childhood Program Lift-Off an international stage. This was the only visit to an organisation Barbara Bush made while in Australia and it was said to be the reason George Bush came to Melbourne. Unfortunately Hazel, although a member of the Board, was not able to attend. She backed out so there could be no embarrassment to Anita Keating. Paul Keating's successful challenge had taken place in December and Hazel was no longer the Prime Minister's wife.

Hazel never complained about the cards dealt her in life: not when her husband walked out after she had supported his ambition; not when she became the victim of Alzheimer's.

She and Bob had built a new home in Sydney where they were living together. Hazel invited me and another colleague to visit. She told us that Bob and Blanche wished to marry sooner rather than later but the law required separation for a year prior to divorce. To move the wedding date forward Bob wanted Hazel to agree that they had not been living as man and wife, although they were living under the same roof and undertaking public functions together. She feared financial retribution for the children if she did not agree.

We urged her to seek independent legal advice. But Hazel chose to go quietly. She moved to a simple suburban home while Bob and Blanche moved into the harbour mansion.

Hazel’s memory had been troubling her and she suggested she resign from the ACTF Board. I talked her out of it at first but by 2001 she could not travel alone. At her farewell Board dinner she made a speech that was lucid and very moving for all those present who knew what lay ahead; she made no secret of her condition.

Hazel is an exceptional person who was always gracious. Bob Hawke was a fortunate man to have her by his side when he ran to be the Prime Minister of Australia. His wife was an important vote winner and it is unlikely Bob’s ambitions would have been fulfilled without her loyalty and dedication to him and the genuine care she demonstrated for the people of Australia. She is not someone to be cursorily dismissed from our history.