How Bob Hawke changed Australia

Bob Hawke served as Prime Minister of Australian from the years of 1983 to 1991 and is considered one of the most influential leaders in recent history. He made major reforms that have an impact that still lingers decades later.

Let’s examine some of the biggest changes Bob Hawke made to Australia.

He floated the Australian dollar

Often cited as his most significant impact on Australia and its future, Bob Hawke floated the Australian dollar which has previously always been valued against another currency. Some have said that his move helped Australia to avoid the negative effects of the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

Launching Medicare

Medicate was Australia’s first universal health insurance system that was affordable and would last the test of time. Many Australian now take Medicare for granted.

He gave the Government power over the fate of World Heritage sites

Bob Hawke passed legislation that meant that Australia’s World Heritage sites could be protected by the Commonwealth. This legislation was soon followed with moves to list certain rainforests and forests in Australia was World Heritage sites.

He worked to fight against discrimination in the workforce based on gender

Bob Hawke oversaw the creation of the Sex Discrimination Act, which outlawed discrimination based on gender in the workforce. This was later followed up with other acts that further cemented anti-discrimination in the Australian workplace.

Cemented the national anthem and national colours

After a long debate amongst Australians, Bob Hawke was the one to finalise that Advance Australia Fair would be the national anthem. He also announced that the colours green and gold would be the official colours of Australia as a nation.

As you can see, Bob Hawke has had a profound and lasting legacy on Australia and his held in high regard by both sides of politics.