Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader

Season 1

Australians have never been so wary of politicians. But there was a time when things were different. From the moment Bob Hawke blazed onto the national stage, he was the rock god of Australian politics. So what made this flawed man a leader we'd never forget? This two-part political biography takes a revelatory look at the times and leadership that made us who we are today.

Where to Watch Season 1

2 Episodes

The Apprenticeship
E1
The ApprenticeshipThis explains how Hawke served his "apprenticeship" as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), and this allowed him to be in touch with the people (at least in his opinion). Opinion polls tended to back this up, however, with many polls showing an approval rating of well over 60% - a staggering figure any politician in any country would kill for.
The Prime Ministership
E2
The Prime MinistershipWe've never been so wary of politicians, but there was a time when things were different. Part two takes a revelatory look at how an infamous larrikin who gave up the grog became a leader we'd never forget.