His major policy achievements included:
- Some substantial economic reform included financial deregulation, dismantling of trade tariffs, and floating of the Australian dollar
- Establishing Australia’s Medicare system of social insurance (or rather re-establishing under a different name the ‘Medibank’ system abolished by the Liberals)
- Some early moves on Aboriginal affairs
Trumping all of these however was a much earlier achievement of Hawke’s while at University. It turns out he held a Guinness World Record no less for being the world’s fastest beer consumer, gulping down a yard of ale in 11 seconds.
Hawke later claimed this enviable boozing feat was the single most important factor in contributing to his later political success, endearing him forever to a nation of beer lovers.
Only in Australia…
Hawke later claimed this enviable boozing feat was the single most important factor in contributing to his later political success, endearing him forever to a nation of beer lovers.
Only in Australia…
3 comments:
Bob Hawke was also a Rhodes Scholar. More likely to have contributed to his political success than his ale consumption...
Anon - thanks, I'm sure that it does too.
The quote is actaully from Hawke's own memoirs, though I'm sure said half in jest!
Dave, that's you slapped down. You gotta be very careful - the Aussies are real nationalistic.
All second-rate nations are.
Post a Comment