'I feel indescribably lucky': Bill Shorten speaks of his gratitude at seeing Bob Hawke one last time just days before he died - and reveals his final words of advice
- Bill Shorten spoke of his gratitude to Bob Hawke and his final meeting with him
- The former Australian PM died surrounded by family on Thursday, aged 89
- He died just two days before he expected to see his former party return to power
- Hawke was Australia's longest running Labor Prime Minister, from 1983-1991
- Mr Shorten said he was 'indescribably lucky' to see Mr Hawke one last time
Bill Shorten has spoken of his gratitude to Bob Hawke and how he feels lucky to have seen him one last time just days before he died.
The former Labor prime minister died on Thursday, two days before the election which Mr Shorten is the favourite to win.
Mr Shorten appeared on Sunrise on Friday morning to share his thoughts on his final meeting with Mr Hawke last week.
Leader of the opposition Bill Shorten has spoken of his gratitude to Bob Hawke and how he feels lucky to have seen him one last time just days before he died
'We'd been in regular touch over the years - when I was in year 11 at school, he became Prime Minister of Australia, so he was my first political hero of my contemporary life,' the Labor leader said.
'I've been in touch and he's mentored me across the years.'
Mr Shorten had the opportunity to recently visit Mr Hawke at his home to discuss the federal election and give his views on the Labor leader's policies.
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'He had the crossword in front of him because he had a very keen mind, and he was his usual generous self,' he said.
'We had a lovely conversation. You know when people pass, as they do, sometimes you get to talk to them before they pass, and other occasions you don't get there in time.'
'I feel indescribably lucky that we were able to have that time just to chat about politics and life and him.'
The former Labor prime minister died on Thursday, two days before Mr Shorten is favoured by polls to lead the party back to government
'He had the crossword in front of him because he had a very keen mind, and he was his usual generous self,' Mr Shorten told Sunrise
He then went on to make a 30-second final election pitch to voters and urged Australians to 'vote for change'.
'It's time for a change. We don't want three more years of the last six years,' Mr Shorten said.
'Vote for change to stop the chaos. Vote for change for real climate action.'
'Vote for change because we are the united Australian team seeking your vote on Saturday. We won't let you down.'
Bob Hawke led Labor to four election wins in a row between 1983 and 1991.
The legendary politician's wife Blanche d'Alpuget said in a statement that her husband died peacefully at home.
'Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era,' she said.
She will hold a private funeral with his children Sue, Stephen, Rosslyn and stepson, Louis, and his grandchildren and a memorial service will be held in Sydney in coming weeks.
Mr Shorten had the opportunity to recently visit Mr Hawke at his home to discuss the federal election and give his views on the Labor leader's policies
Bob Hawke's wife Blanche d'Alpuget said in a statement on Thursday that the former Prime Minister died peacefully at home
Mr Hawke has been remembered by all sides of politics as a man who made Australia better, his death coming two days a predicted Labor return to government.
He was the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister and had a string of achievements during his eight years in office.
He introduced Medicare in 1984, which became the country's first affordable and universal health insurance.
That same year he outlawed gender discrimination in the workplace by introducing the Sex Discrimination Act.
Mr Hawke also took steps to reconcile with Indigenous Australians through a treat and by replacing the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was replaced with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Mr Hawke has been remembered by all sides of politics as a man who made Australia better, his death coming two days a predicted Labor return to government
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