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William George (Bill) Hayden (1933-2023)
Described as 'the best man never to have become prime minster' [1], Bill Hayden (23rd January 1933 - 21st October 2023) was born and raised in Brisbane, in a working-class family. Leaving school at 16, he worked as a public servant, and later as a police officer, whilst completing an economics degree part-time.
Hayden entered federal parliament in 1961, wining the seat of Oxley for Labor. With the Whitlam government's victory in 1975, Hayden was elevated to the front bench, serving as the Minister for Social Security and then Treasurer. He introduced the single mother's pension and laid the foundation for what would become Medicare.
Following Whitlam's dismissal and electoral defeat at the 1975 Federal Election, Hayden became Labor Party leader and Opposition Leader. He took Labor to a narrow election defeat at the 1980 election, securing 45.15% of the votes, to the Coalition's 46.40%.
Facing a leadership challenge from Bob Hawke in 1983 (Hawke was elected in 1980), Hayden resigned, rather than create division in the party. Following the March 1983 election, Hayden returned to the front bench, serving as Foreign Minister in the Hawke government.
Towards the end of 1988, Hayden resigned from Federal Parliament and became the 21st Governor-General of Australia, a position he held for seven years.
A staunch atheist, following a stroke in his early 80s he was baptised at St Mary's, Ipswich, in 2018.
Reflecting on his career, Hayden remarked in 2014, that:
Government was more fun than governor-general -- cutting ribbons has its limit on excitement. [2]
Following Hayden's passing on 21st October 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:
If Bill Hayden left no other legacy than as a key architect of universal healthcare, he would still stand for all time as a legend of our labour movement and a great contributor to our nation ... In a time of forceful personalities, Bill Hayden was notable for his humility ... As a reforming Minister for Social Security, Bill introduced Medibank, Australia's first plan for universal healthcare. As a former police officer who understood that poverty too often trapped women in violent relationships, Bill introduced Australia's first single mother's pension. [3]
References (online)[1] Bill Hayden obituary [The Guardian, accessed 23/10/2023][2] Bill Hayden, former governor-general and Labor luminary who served under Gough Whitlam and made way for Bob Hawke, dies aged 90 [ABC News, accessed 23/10/2023][3] Bill Hayden AC, Media Statement 21 Oct 2023 Prime MinisterBill Hayden explains why he decided to be baptised [ABC News, accessed 23/10/2023]Bill Hayden, former Labor leader, turns to God despite atheist past [ABC News, accessed 23/10/2023]Bill Hayden hailed as architect of Medicare, 'reshaper' of post-war ALP by Albanese, Keating [ABC News, 23/10/2023]Bill Hayden's state funeral draws Australian politicians to celebrate the Labor luminary who rose from humble beginnings [ABC News, accessed 3rd November 2023]
Bill had a younger brother and two younger sisters, and an older half-brother from his mother's first marriage (this brother was raised by an aunt).
George Hayden was an American seaman (possibly born in California), who jumped ship in Sydney in the early 1910s. He worked as a piano-tuner and musical instrument salesmen. He moved to Rockhampton in the early 1920s and was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Violet Quinn's first husband was a shearer. Following his death, she worked as a barmaid in Rockhampton, where she met George. They moved to Brisbane in the early 1930s.
Reference for Family (online)Bill Hayden [Wikipedia, accessed 23/10/2023]
After their marriage, the Hayden's initially lived in a rented cottage in Dinmore, before building a house in Ipswich's western suburbs.
They had three daughters and a son.
Dallas passed away in January of 2024, a few months after Bill's passing.
Reference for Places Lived (online)Government House, Canberra [Wikipedia, accessed 23/10/2023]
In 1956 he was transferred back to Brisbane, working as a plainclothes constable in the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
Later, he was moved to police headquarters in Roma Street, where he was rostered to Government House, guarding the Governor of Queensland.
In 1957, Hayden was transferred to a two-man police station at Redbank.
19th December 1972 - 6th June 1975
Treasurer of Australia
6th June 1975 - 11th November 1975
Leader of the Labor Party / Leader of the Opposition
22nd December 1977 - 8th February 1983
Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade
11th March 1983 - 17th August 1988Prime Minister/sRobert Menzies / Harold Holt / John McEwen / John Gorton / William McMahon /Gough Whitlam / Malcom Frasier / Bob Hawke
Hayden had unsuccessfully applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force as an 18-year-old.