Bob Hawke’s eldest daughter breaks silence on legal stoush over will
Bob Hawke’s eldest daughter has broken her silence on her sister’s legal battle over the former prime minister’s will.
Two months after the Labor veteran died in May, The New Daily reported that Hawke awarded $750,000 to each of his three children – Sue Pieters-Hawke, Stephen Hawke and Rosslyn Dillon – as well as his stepson Louis Pratt, and left the rest of his multimillion-dollar estate to his wife Blanche d’Alpuget in his will.
The outlet also reported that Dillon was preparing to take legal action against d’Alpuget for a greater share of her father’s estate.
In a new interview with 7.30, Dillon’s older sister Pieters-Hawke said she believed her provision was adequate.
“I don’t share that dispute,” Pieters-Hawke said.
“I love and respect my sister. I don’t share her view on this one and beyond that, I honestly regard it as a private family matter.
“I’m grateful for what I received. It’s made a difference to me in my life. It is mostly locked away but it means I don’t have to have financial anxiety.
“I can supplement the pension, along with work and whatever, and my kids don’t have to worry about me.
“I’m really happy about that and I can respect that other people have different views. That’s fine.”
Dillon has reportedly engaged Sydney family law specialists Tiyce & Lawyers to represent her in challenging the will. If a private agreement could not be reached between the parties, the matter will proceed to the NSW Supreme Court.