Bob Hawke says there is no way to "stop the boats" as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has claimed he will do to the asylum-seeking craft regularly arriving on islands off Australia’s north-west coast.

The former Labor prime minister repeated his attack on Mr Abbott describing him as "mad as a cut snake" and said Australia needed people like those arriving by boat to claim asylum because they had initiative and courage.

Bob Hawke on the campaign trail in Melbourne. Credit:Angela Wylie

Mr Hawke offered a range of thoughts across many issues to a Financial Services Council conference in Melbourne today.

Mr Hawke admitted he had early concerns about Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s re-election prospects but believed the Labor campaign was looking up for her now.