NSW: Bob Hawke lobbies John Howard for $5mln towards centre

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
NSW: Bob Hawke lobbies John Howard for $5mln towards centre

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke has lobbied the Prime Minister John
Howard for $5 million towards a $20 million fund for the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at
the University of South Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reported today.

Mr Hawke had a private meeting with Mr Howard earlier this year to discuss his request, the
paper said.

The Government refused at the time, and later, to reveal what the two had talked about.

But Government sources said last night the request was still being considered, and they
hoped it would be resolved "soon".

One problem raised is that if the government provided money for the Hawke centre it could
have to support centres for other living former prime ministers.

Mr Howard was quoted as saying the centre would "help underpin enhanced research into the
political and public policy process, including the role of the Prime Minister ... I am thus
pleased to support the university's endeavours".

The $20 million fund-raising campaign was launched recently, but will not get into full
swing until it is known whether there will be government support.

So far, only $1 million has been raised.

The pro-vice chancellor of education, arts and the social sciences Professor Michael Rowan,
whose division oversees the centre, said Mr Hawke was actively engaged in raising money.

The campaign would mainly look for substantial donations from corporations and individuals
associated with Mr Hawke, The Sydney Morning Herald said.

Mr Hawke said he was not seeking to put pressure on the government for an early decision.

"I'm happy they're considering it," he said last night.

The Hawke centre began last year as an initiative of the University, which approached Mr
Hawke - the only South Australian born prime minister.

The centre includes a prime ministerial library and the Hawke Institute, which researches
the Hawke period of government.

There is also a civic program, including an annual Hawke lecture.

The other comparable centre is the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library at the Curtin
University of Technology in Perth.

It received Federal Labor Government funding.

AAP smf/cjh

KEYWORD: HAWKE

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