Former Labor PM says ousting Abbott was ‘unsound basis for leadership’ and advises Turnbull get bipartisan understanding with Bill Shorten on big issues

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke says Malcolm Turnbull has an “unsound” basis for leadership, because he is still ashamed of taking power from Tony Abbott.

Hawke, now 88, used his regular address to the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland to urge Turnbull to put his shame behind him, and work in partnership with Labor on issues like climate change.

“Malcolm is basically ashamed,” Hawke said.

“If you’re ashamed of what you’ve done to get the leadership, it’s a pretty unsound basis for leadership,” he said.

He then offered some advice to Turnbull.

Bob Hawke's 'big life': conversations with an Australian legend Read more

“Put any feeling of shame behind you, get on with the job and particularly see if you can get some bipartisan understanding with Bill Shorten about important issues, particularly climate change,” he said, according to Fairfax Media.

“Get on with the job and get some bi-partisan leadership.”

The former prime minister has become a regular speaker at the Woodford Folk Festival. His address on Friday was his ninth at the event. The talks typically attracts headlines for Hawke’s often frank and uncompromising assessments of modern politics.

WoodfordFolkFestival (@WoodfordFF) The Garland at #woodfordff is absolutely packed as people listen to former PM Bob Hawke. pic.twitter.com/UAeBzknY2c

Hawke, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and later drinking a “Hawke’s Lager” as he chatted to media, described both Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un as “both in their own way, lunatics”.

He lamented the lack of leadership in the western world, and urged Australians to join a political party and become active in the democratic process.

Hawke also outlined a path for a successful push for an Australian republic, saying it could only occur after the Queen passed away.

“[Australians] think a vote for the republic would be kicking Her Majesty in her ancient dentures,” he said.



WoodfordFolkFestival (@WoodfordFF) In light of the current absence of political leadership, former PM Bob Hawke urges us all to 'be more actively involved in the political process' and consider joining a political party #woodfordff

Hawke slammed the glaring inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as “the greatest stain on this great nation”, according to News Corp.

Australia, he said, ought to consider nuclear power as part of the solution to climate change. Waste could be stored here and the income used to help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, he said.

Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke has made quite an impression with an appearance today at the @WoodfordFF . @JoelDry9 #9News pic.twitter.com/gkr3KQv1zz

Hawke later sang a rendition of Waltzing Matilda to a large crowd, which sang along and applauded.