Coalition win would be a travesty: Hawke

Bob Hawke says Labor can't let the Turnbull government regain power due to its attack on the trade union movement.

File image of Bob Hawke (AAP) Source: AAP

Former prime minister Bob Hawke, celebrating Labor's beginnings, has stressed the importance to his party of ending the Turnbull government at this year's federal election.

Mr Hawke led celebrations at the Labor Party's outback Queensland birthplace of Barcaldine as it marked the 125th anniversary of the 1891 Great Shearers' Strike.

While the 86-year-old took part in the Labour Day march in a wheelchair, the revered trade union figure gave a spirited address, rising to sing Solidarity Forever and stressing the coalition can't be re-elected on July 2.

"It would be one of the great travesties because a central part of their campaign is an attack on the trade union movement," he said slowly but deliberately on Monday.

Mr Hawke, who is frail and attending less public events in recent times, showed how much the Labour Day anniversary meant to him.

"This is where the great Australian Labor Party started," Mr Hawke said.

"No institution, more than the union movement and Labor Party, have approached what their contribution has been in shaping the character and quality of the Australia we enjoy today."