This is a 60 Minutes profile of Opposition Leader Bill Hayden, telecast during the 1980 federal election.
Hayden was contesting his first and only election as leader of the ALP. He had succeeded Gough Whitlam as ALP leader in 1977. A former policeman, Hayden had survived the Whitlam years with his reputation intact. He had been Minister for Social Security and had introduced Medibank, the forerunner of today’s Medicare. He was Treasurer in the final months of the government in 1975.
The ALP lost the 1980 election, although it picked up 13 seats and reduced Fraser’s majority. Hayden was replaced by Bob Hawke in February 1983, on the very day that Fraser called an early election. Hayden went on to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs until 1988. He was Governor-General from 1989 until 1996.
The profile was reported by George Negus. It was telecast on September 28, 1980, three weeks before the October 18 poll.
- Watch the 60 Minutes report (14m)
