Keating wrong on Hawke: d`Alpuget

There is no evidence to back Paul Keating's claims Bob Hawke's depression lasted for
years, biographer Blanche d'Alpuget says.
Mr Keating has accused his predecessor of rewriting history in a letter to The
Australian newspaper following the release of Hawke's updated biography by his wife,
Ms d'Alpuget.
Mr Keating served as treasurer under Bob Hawke, overseeing a series of key reforms,
including floating the Australian dollar. He successfully challenged Mr Hawke and
became prime minister in December 1991.
The letter is the latest flare-up in a long smouldering row between the pair.
In the book, Mr Hawke acknowledged a period of depression in 1984 when his daughter
Rosslyn had been using heroin.
Mr Keating said that depression lasted much longer.
"The fact is, Bob, I was exceedingly kind to you for a very long time," he said.
"I will also bet London to a brick on that notwithstanding what the serialised
account on Saturday had to say of your breakdown in 1984, that the book will fail to
make clear that your emotional and intellectual malaise lasted for years."
Ms d'Alpuget said Mr Keating was wrong and her husband's depression had tailed off
after six months.
"The evidence is not there," she told ABC Radio.
Mr Hawke wished Mr Keating had kept the letter between the pair but "otherwise he's
not worried about it", Ms d'Alpuget said.
Mr Keating had fixated on minor things in the book and not the best bits written
about him, she said.
"He's brilliant. He's the government's best parliamentary performer."
Neither Mr Hawke nor Ms d'Alpuget had spoken to Mr Keating since the letter emerged
in public and did not expect to.
"Bob bears Paul absolutely no ill will," Ms d'Alpuget said.
But it was unlikely the pair would build any bridges.
"They could never be friends again ... real friends," she said.
But the pair understood each other from the perspective of members of a very small
club of living former Labor prime ministers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the war of words was nothing more than two
passionate men with different points of view.
"They are two great Australians passionate about their politics, passionate about
their politics to this day, having a passionate discussion," Ms Gillard said.
"And I have to say that as someone with an intense interest in politics I'm enjoying
it."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott praised both men as reformists.
He was asked if he was thankful there was no animosity between him and his
predecessor Malcolm Turnbull.
"I certainly believe we have a good team and whatever disagreements Malcolm and I
had over the emissions trading scheme was never personal, I respected Malcolm then
and I respect him today," he said.
"We were friends then and we were friends today."