Hawke Becomes Prime Minister

Date: March 11, 1983 • Location: Canberra, Australia

Bob Hawke is appointed Prime Minister of Australia.

Robert James Lee Hawke was the 23rd prime minister of Australia, serving from 1983 to 1991. He held office as leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), having previously served as president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1969 to 1980 and as president of the Labor Party national executive from 1973 to 1978.