'I've had my time': Bob Hawke, 89, fears he won't be alive to see the next election after admitting his health is 'terrible'
- Former PM Bob Hawke fears he may not live to see the next federal election
- The 89-year-old former Labor leader has no doubt Bill Shorten will win election
- Mr Hawke has suffered a number of health scares of late and is wheelchair bound
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke fears he may not live to see the next federal election due to his deteriorating health.
The 89-year-old former Labor leader has no doubt Bill Shorten will lead the party to victory against Scott Morrison's Liberal Party, but conceded he has 'had his time'.
He and his wife, Blanche, attended Queensland's popular Woodford Folk Festival on Friday for the 10th consecutive year.
But he told The Courier Mail he would not be delivering his speech or singing his rendition of Waltzing Matilda as he had in the past.
Bob Hawke (pictured) has attended Queensland's popular Woodford Folk Festival for 10 consecutive years (right delivering his annual speech)
Former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke and his wife Blanche d'Alpuget attended the festival together (pictured)
'I've sung my last song, or last verse of Waltzing Matilda. That's been done,' he said.
Mr Hawke, who is now bound to a wheelchair, has suffered a number of health scares in recent months.
He was taken to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital by an ambulance in May after he reportedly had 'the wobbles'.
Only weeks later in July, he was again admitted to hospital for an unknown condition.
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Bob Hawke served as prime minister of Australia from 1983 through until the end of 1991
He said his health had been 'terrible' and wasn't sure what the future holds for him.
'I'm just... I've had my time, just stick around for a little while,' he said.
Mr Hawke and his wife both cherish the festival, saying that it gives thousands in the community an opportunity to enjoy high-quality and diverse talents.
'That's why I've kept coming back, and unfortunately it'll be my last visit I reckon,' he said.
But he is certain, despite his current condition, his former party will be successful come election time.
In particular, he thinks Mr Shorten is a great candidate to lead the Labor party to victory.
Mr Hawke thinks Mr Shorten is a great candidate to lead the Labor party to victory in the next federal election
