A Fairer Future – The Educational Legacy of Bob Hawke

The Hon Bob Hawke AC was well aware his access to education was a privilege that many others of his generation did not have, the importance of education is a theme throughout Hawke’s life and career. Academic success at school and university resulted in a Rhodes Scholarship and the opportunity to travel to study at Oxford. As President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions he advocated strongly for increased training opportunities, and oversaw the Australian Labor Party’s education policy direction as the Party’s President for most of the Whitlam Government.

When Bob Hawke came to office in 1983, a third of Australian children were completing secondary education, one of the lowest rates in the developed world. Hawke was most proud of his Government improving this to 75 per cent by the end of his prime ministership. His Education Ministers implemented widespread change. First, Susan Ryan focused on making education equitable and championed Hawke’s push for higher completion rates. After the 1987 federal election, John Dawkins’ ministership saw a shift in focus towards the connection of education to employment and the economy. Reform in higher education was enacted to make it sustainable while still growing the sector.

In his post-Parliamentary career, Bob Hawke continued to promote education as a way of addressing inequity and supporting various education causes. These causes involved working toward greater understanding, breaking down disadvantage and promoting a cohesive society. Hawke fostered relationships with the University of South Australia with the establishment of The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, and chaired the Committee of Experts for the global teaching union Education International.

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