This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The former prime minister Bob Hawke is undergoing minor tests and is keen to get home to his “cigar and crosswords” after being admitted to a Sydney hospital.

The former Labor leader was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital late on Monday.

“I understand it’s a relatively minor incident, what’s been called the wobbles, which I imagine when you’re 88 is something which would concern you,” Labor MP Chris Bowen told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

“Most importantly the entire Labor family, everyone in this building wishes Bob the best.”

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Hawke served as Australia’s 23rd prime minister from 1983-1991 and led Labor to four consecutive election victories.

A source close to the family said Hawke was “fine and anxious to get home and back to his cigar and crosswords”.

Hawke’s place in the Labor pantheon was formally acknowledged in 2009 when he became only the third person to be awarded national life membership of the party.

'A Bob Hawke today would have never become PM. He'd have been buried' Read more

Bowen described Hawke as “a Labor legend”.

“Our thoughts are with him, with Blanche and with the family.

Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) Bob Hawke is - and will remain - the greatest AUSTRALIAN this nation has ever produced. He’s funny, sweet, caring, sensitive and brilliantly intelligent. He will have a speedy recovery and be back at the cricket in summer sculling a beer.

Some took to Twitter to wish him well.

“Bob Hawke is – and will remain – the greatest Australian this nation has ever produced,” the former Labor MP Sam Dastyari tweeted on Tuesday.

“He will have a speedy recovery and be back at the cricket in summer sculling a beer.”