Patrick Keneally

One of the small things that separates baby boomers from younger generations is an irrational hatred for Halloween. “It’s American!” “It’s cultural imperialism!” “It celebrates the occult!” “It encourages small children to ask strangers for lollies!” (they may have a point on the last one). In response, I try to point out that many traditions, which were once foreign, become localised through the passage of time and small adaptations, and Australian culture is all the richer for it.

Bob Hawke’s successors as Australian prime minister and the Labor opposition leader hoping to follow in his footsteps, Bill Shorten, have led tributes to the former leader, who died on Thursday evening, aged 89. The passing of the longest-serving Australian Labor prime minister just two days before a general election drew forth praise for his legacy, with even political opponents praising Hawke’s contribution to the country’s development.