Vale Bob Hawke.
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He was arguably the last of the old school PMs; as comfortable skoling a schooner at the cricket as shaking the hands of world leaders.
Described eloquently as an "intellectual knockabout", he was a defining figure of Australia as it embraced a sense of self.
A father figure, perhaps, in government who silvered into a grandfatherly image in old age.
And like poet Robert Lowell wrote, grandparents are altogether otherworldly now.
It is easy in age and death to praise a person's achievements and strengths and ignore their failures and weaknesses.
Described eloquently as an "intellectual knockabout", he was a defining figure of Australia as it embraced a sense of self.
But Hawke was the type of political leader we have not seen for many years: someone who appeared to genuinely believe his job was to represent the people.
More closely connected to Australians than any of the current crop who have benefited from the party machinations.
So today we go to the polls with the shadow of real ambition and leadership hanging heavily overhead.
This election campaign has largely failed to inspire. However, it is worth reflecting on the reason we should value our vote.
There was recently a radio interview with a newly minted Australian citizen.
Vox popped outside a pre-polling station, it turned out she was only walking past and was waiting until today to cast her vote.
She was excited about turning up on polling day and exercising her free vote among her fellow citizens without fear.
She had not experienced that before in her homeland, where elections were marred by intimidation and corruption. In what can sometimes be an acrimonious campaign, that is worth reflecting on.
We are indeed fortunate that we can question our political leaders, hold them to account, disagree with them publicly, and ultimately cast our opinion at the ballot box.
Many do not get to experience that.
Both The Advocate and The Examiner held debates between the major party candidates. They were passionate and articulate and while they might have had the occasional dig at the other side's policies or plans, they were respectful.
It is the conversation we should have more of and would lead to more people being engaged in the political process.
There is an oft-quoted political saying that the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. (It is a great line, often, but incorrectly, ascribed to Winston Churchill.)
It is true for many people. In many homes, we are taught not to talk about politics (and religion) and we therefore grow up not knowing much about it.
In other vox pops, so many people did not know what level of government they were voting for and confused local, state and federal issues.
This masthead carried stories on disengaged voters who wanted to make an effort to become more politically informed.
How brave of those people to admit they did not have the greatest knowledge of politics but wanted to learn more.
They ended up saying they had a better idea of the issues, policies and candidates and who they were going to vote for.
One thing has become clear this campaign: pre-polling needs to change.
More than four million voters have already cast their ballot. Some for legitimate reasons like being overseas, having weddings or giving birth, but many have done so just to get it out of the way. It is a worrying trend and one that is only growing.
Yes, election campaigns can be filled with hollow soundbites, rhetoric and inane wall to wall advertising. But voting early is like finishing an exam without using the full time allowed to review your answers. (Unless it is a NAPLAN exam, of course, and then you spend most of the time hitting F5.)
Premature voters might argue their minds are made up and perhaps they are rusted on voters to one party or another, but what happens if there is an implosion or revelation from the person you voted for?
We should also thank those candidates who are standing to give us choice. With only one winner per (lower house) seat, it is a risky, often costly, and thankless task.
So whether you number the minimum boxes required for a valid vote or take pleasure in giving someone the lowest number possible, it is vital you make an informed choice. Do not throw your say away.
- Mark Baker is Australian Community Media - Tasmania managing editor