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Actor Lincoln Lewis blasts Tony Abbott over ‘disrespectful’ Bob Hawke tweet

Lincoln Lewis has blasted Tony Abbott’s response to former prime minister Bob Hawke’s death. Photo: Instagram
Lincoln Lewis has blasted Tony Abbott’s response to former prime minister Bob Hawke’s death. Photo: Instagram

Lincoln Lewis has blasted Tony Abbott’s response to former prime minister Bob Hawke’s death, labelling his statement not ‘respectful’.

The backlash followed a chorus of criticism levelled at Mr Abbott, after he claimed many of the late Labor legend’s key achievements ‘went against (the party’s) grain’.

"You might almost say he had a Labor heart, but a Liberal head,” Mr Abbott said in a statement.

This off-key analysis triggered an impassioned tweet from ex Home and Away star Lincoln, writing that he ‘truly idolised’ Mr Hawke, who died on Thursday aged 89.

“Just this once, just for a moment.. Could you have attempted, or if that was too hard at least just pretended to be a respectful human being..?” he tweeted.

This off-key analysis of Bob Hawke's death comes just days before Tony Abbott will stand in the federal election. Photo: Getty Images
This off-key analysis came just two days before Mr Abbott will re-contest his long-held seat in Australia’s federal election. Photo: Getty Images

He continued the tribute to Mr Hawke in an Instagram post, which included a photo of the pair together at a function last year.

“I felt lucky not just to have met the man and shake his hand, but hear him speak, tell jokes that would leave the room in hysterics and finish with the full singing of Waltzing Matilda,” he wrote.

“His shoes will never be filled. Mr Hawke, cheers for everything.”

Elsewhere, Mr Abbott continued to cop criticism for the contentious statement, which came just two days before he will re-contest his long-held seat in Australia’s federal election.

Musician Phil Jamieson branded Mr Abbott as “spineless” and directed him to “get in the bin”.

Similarly, comedian Tom Gleeson tweeted “this tribute to one of Australia’s most loved PMs by Tony Abbott, reminds you why he is one of the most loathed”.

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