Bill Hayden, a former Prime Minister of Australia, died on 22 October 2023 at the age of 89.
His cause of death was not publicly disclosed, but it is believed that he died of natural causes.
Hayden was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1933.
He joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1950 and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1961.
He served in a number of ministerial roles in the Whitlam Government, including Minister for Social Security and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Hayden became Prime Minister in 1975 following the resignation of Gough Whitlam.
He led the ALP to defeat in the 1975 election, but became Leader of the Opposition again in 1977.
He led the ALP to defeat in the 1980 election, but retired from politics in 1983.
Hayden was a highly respected figure in Australian politics.
He was known for his intelligence, his integrity, and his commitment to social justice.
Hewas also a gifted orator and a persuasive advocate for his beliefs.
Early life and career
Hayden was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on 23 October 1933.
He was the son of William Hayden, a labourer, and Mary Hayden (née O’Brien), a seamstress.
Hayden grew up in poverty and attended a Catholic primary school and a state high school.
Hayden left school at the age of 15 to work as a clerk.
He later joined the Australian Public Service and worked as a taxation officer.
In 1950, Hayden joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP).
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1961, representing the Queensland seat of Oxley.
Parliamentary career
Hayden served in a number of ministerial roles in the Whitlam Government, including Minister for Social Security (1972-1975) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1975).
He became Prime Minister in 1975 following the resignation of Gough Whitlam.
Hayden led the ALP to defeat in the 1975 election, but became Leader of the Opposition again in 1977.
He led the ALP to defeat in the 1980 election, but retired from politics in 1983.
Prime Minister
Hayden’s time as Prime Minister was short-lived.
He held office for just five months from June to December 1975.
During his time as Prime Minister, Hayden oversaw the introduction of a number of social reforms, including the introduction of Medicare, the universal health care system in Australia.
Hayden also faced a number of challenges during his time as Prime Minister, including the global economic recession and the ongoing conflict in Vietnam.
He was also criticized for his handling of the dismissal of the Whitlam Government.
Retirement and death
Hayden retired from politics in 1983. He went on to have a successful career as a businessman and author.
He wrote a number of books, including his autobiography, Hayden: An Autobiography, which was published in 1985.
Hayden died on 22 October 2023 at the age of 89.
Legacy
Hayden was a highly respected figure in Australian politics.
He was known for his intelligence, his integrity, and his commitment to social justice.
He was also a gifted orator and a persuasive advocate for his beliefs.
Hayden’s legacy is a complex one.
He was a successful politician who achieved a great deal, but he was also a flawed individual who made some mistakes.
Nevertheless, Hayden remains one of the most important figures in Australian political history.
Causes of death
A study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that the leading causes of death in Australia in 2020 were;
- Â Heart disease (24.6%)
- Cancer (20.5%)
- Stroke (9.5%)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (4.8%)
- Dementia (4.5%)
- Diabetes (3.6%)
- Kidney disease (3.4%)
- Influenza and pneumonia (3.3%)
- Sepsis (2.8%)
- Unintentional injuries (2.7%)
- Suicide (2.3%)
It is important to note that these are just the leading causes of death in Australia.
There are many other factors that can contribute to death, such as age, lifestyle and genetics.
Conclusion
Hayden was a complex and fascinating figure.
He was a successful politician who achieved a great deal, but he was also a flawed individual who made some mistakes
