Hawke Government: 1986

January / February / March / April / July / August / October / November

The year began with the Australian dollar rising to US71.55 the highest value in five months and continued to rise against other currencies. Problems in the agricultural sector saw Prime Minister Hawke meeting with farm leaders in Perth followed by visits to farms in NSW to see firsthand the range of problems faced.

Joan Child was elected the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Australian Act gave the country full independence from Britain while still retaining its Commonwealth membership and the Queen as its sovereign head of state.

Lindy Chamberlain was released from gaol and Northern Territory Attorney General announced an inquiry into the murder case. A fall in the price of petrol was announced by the government and Pope John Paul II visits Australia.

JANUARY

Dollar heads past 71 cents McKay, Angela

Australian Financial Review, January 23, 1986 page 1,4

Clashes as farm lobby tackles PM McGeough, Paul

Sydney Morning Herald, January 28, 1986 page 1

Angry farmers force Hawke to flee rally Australian, January 28, 1986 page 1

Farmers and place clashed violently in a Perth hotel while the Prime Minister and farm leaders meet to discuss problems in the agricultural sector. The Prime Minister later cut short an address to farmers after persistent interjections

FEBRUARY

A tireless worker is rewarded and another milestone is reached Humphries, David

The Age, February 11, 1986 page 9: The Speakers vacancy in he House of Representatives became vacant with the resignation of Dr. Harry Jenkins and Joan Child is elected as the first woman speaker in this house creating a wonderful milestone.

Petrol cut aimed at lowering CPI Kelly, Paul

The Australian, February 25, 1986 page 2: The government announces that petrol prices will fall by 5.1 cents a litre in response to the governments decision to reduce the price of Australian produced crude oil as a result of a fall in the price of world oil.

MARCH

Third anniversary of the Hawke Government

In his address at the National Press Club on the third anniversary of his government the Prime Minister announced that he would be holding talks with President Ronald Reagan concerning the impact of the recent United States farm legislation on Australian agriculture.

PM to press Reagan on farm aid Gratton, Michelle

The Age, March 6, 1986 page 1,10

Haley's Comet cartoon [Image Source: Geoff Hook] Halley's Comet arrives

The predicted regular appearance of Halley's Comet, named for the English astronomer Edmund Halley, came to pass in March-April 1986. Prime At the time Prime Minister, Bob Hawke and Treasurer Paul Keating were facing a growing deficit in the national economy.

Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr Lho Shinyong

Korea visits Prime Minister Hawke

Prime Minister Hawke with Minister of the Republic of Korea [Image Source: National Library of Australia]

Prime Minister Hawke with Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr Lho Shinyong, Korea, March 10, 1986Photograph courtesy of the National Library of Australia

APRIL

17th April: With his image in Australia starting to fade Bob Hawke makes his second visit to the United States as Prime Minister of Australia

Prime Minister Hawke with US Secretary of Defence, Casper Weinberger

Prime Minister Hawke with US Secretary of Defence, Casper Weinberger

April 11, 1986

Photograph courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Prime Minister Hawke with US President George Bush, Washington DC

Prime Minister Hawke with US President George Bush [Image Source: Marshall B Coyne]

Prime Minister Hawke with US President George Bush, Washington DC

April 1986

Prime Minister Bob Hawke met with President George Bush and was reported to say. I'm pleased to meet with Prime Minister Bob Hawke today, although I was somewhat disappointed he didn't bring the America's Cup with him. Prime Minister Hawke is a personal friend and a valued counselor, and I can't overstate the value America attaches to its relationship with Australia, especially as that nation now approaches a very special year. We look forward to participating in the festivities of Australia's 1988 bicentennial.

JULY

ALP National Conference (opens in new window)

AUGUST

Sugar sales to China

Sugar cartoon [Image Source: Geoff Hook] US President Ronald Reagan delighted at U.S. sugar sales to China which leaves Australia's Prime Minister Bob Hawke looking forlorn at Australian sugar export prospects.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke unveiled a plaque at the foundation for the Australian national Maritime Museum building. To be constructed by the Darling Harbour Authority, designed by Australian architect Philip Cox, construction and staff recruitment was led by Interim Director Sergio Sergi.

Keating/Hawke cartoon [Image Source: Geoff Hook] A Budget impression...

Prime Minister Bob Hawke 'presents' his Picasso style portrait of his Treasurer Paul Keating and his just presented 1986 budget. At the time Picasso's 'Weeping Woman' had been stolen from The National Gallery of Victoria. The painting was later found unharmed in a locker at Spencer Street Station in Melbourne.