As dual citizenship speculation swirls through Canberra, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke has assured a Sydney pub he’s ‘ridgy-didge’.
Sitting at a bar on his 88th birthday on Thursday, Mr Hawke told reporters he was ‘coming good’ after a spell in hospital some weeks ago.
Posing up alongside a wax figure of himself and drinking a beer named in his honour the former Labor leader showcased his world famous drinking abilities.
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke has celebrated his 88th birthday in style, downing a ‘Hawke Lager’ alongside a wax figure of himself at a Sydney pub
The ex-PM is known for his drinking ability, having previously held the world record for downing a yard of ale – two and a half pints – in 11 seconds while studying at Oxford University
While he wouldn’t be drawn on the current citizenship scandal, he assured that there was no such confusion with his eligibility.
‘I’m ridgy-didge,’ he laughed after unveiling a wax sculpture of himself holding a can of Hawke’s Lager.
The ex-PM has previously held the world record for downing a yard of ale – two and a half pints – in 11 seconds while studying at Oxford University.
Earlier this year he made headlines once again after downing a glass of beer during the Sydney Test match between Australia and Pakistan.
Captured on the SCG screen during a drinks break, the crowd urged the former PM on.
In true fashion Mr Hawke did not hesitate, necking the beer in just a few seconds.
It was somewhat of a case of déjà vu for Mr Hawke, who also downed his beer during the Sydney test in 2012.
It comes months after Mr Hawke skolled a full beer on day two of the Australia vs Pakistan Test match (pictured)
At the time Mr Hawke was handed a beer by a cricket fan and was filmed smashing it in front of a raucous crowd, before the video went viral online.
But as he celebrated on Thursday he drunk at a much more considered pace, taking in every sip of his very own beer.
Proceeds from the beer go towards Landcare, the rural program he elevated from a grass-roots community program to a national movement as prime minister in 1989.