Bob Hawke, Australia’s charismatic Labor prime minister (1983-1991), hailed for revolutionizing the nation’s economy and leading social reforms, has an intriguing clandestine chapter now unveiled. Declassified US diplomatic cables have unearthed Hawke’s discreet yet pivotal role as an informant to American officials, betraying a stark duality in the public and private persona of a man much admired for his larrikin spirit and commitment to labor rights.
The papers, unearthed by Cameron Coventry in his paper for the Federation University, paint Hawke as an experienced chameleon who maintained a facade of militancy while collaborating with US officials behind the scenes during the tumultuous period of 1973 to 1979. It’s a revelation that jars against the commonly held image of a staunch unionist rallying for workers’ rights. Hawke, a leader known for his unionism and Labour affiliation, was conversely aiding US defense installations, informing on union disputes, and warning of potential threats to US interests in Australia.
The Australians valued Hawke for his “pre-empting and pacifying union disputes.” He acted as a counterbalance to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, whose tenure strained the Australia-US relationship. Whitlam’s policy shifts, such as opposing the Vietnam War and querying the presence of US intelligence on Australian soil, marked a low in bilateral ties. Meanwhile, the cables from the period suggest Hawke was seen as a friend to US officials, capable of deradicalizing the labor movement and extending the ANZUS co-defence pact.
This double life is further evidenced by an encounter in 1973, when Hawke informed US officials of industrial tensions within the Ford Motor Company, thereby marking him as a notable asset for American interests. One cable from 1978 describes Hawke as a “friend” of US officials, and his sentiment towards a lasting partnership with the US starkly contrasted with his public rhetoric of an “independent non-aligned Australia.”
Indeed, the long-standing belief that Hawke was the quintessential ‘Australian first’ is scrutinized. Stephen Loosely, former ALP national president, may assert that Hawke was “an Australian first, last and always,” but these findings cast doubt on such a straightforward narrative. The friction between Hawke’s public image and his clandestine dealings with the US embassy redefines his legacy as not just a beloved leader but also a skilled diplomat who balanced national leadership with international obligations—sometimes in secret.
The American Labour Attaché in 1973 noted how Hawke’s intervention during a potential union dispute at the joint American-Australian North West Cape facility was welcomed, with Hawke expressing “concern and surprise at the militancy” of the workers. This level of engagement, where Hawke played a part in mitigating union actions, reflects a discreet alignment with US interests that starkly differs from his public persona.
Further revelations shed light on possible political maneuverings where Hawke, during a Labor Party crisis, considered a British-style national government to face economic challenges. The ideal of Hawke, a man embodying the quintessential ‘ocker’, becomes muddled against this backdrop of political strategy and international diplomacy.
Relevant articles:
– Secret embassy cables cast the Bob Hawke legend in a different light | Jeff Sparrow, The Guardian
– Australia’s Hawke, American Informant, The Diplomat :: Asia
– Diplomatic cables show Australian Labor leader Bob Hawke was US informant, World Socialist Web Site