It saw the resignation of Leader Bill Hayden followed by the election of Bob Hawke as his replacement.

However, after only just surviving a challenge from Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Bob Hawke, a disappointing by-election result in December 1982 caused many[who?]

However, the plan backfired as Labor managed to secure the transition from Hayden to the more popular and charismatic Hawke just in time as the election was announced.

Later that afternoon at a press conference, Hayden famously said that "a drover's dog could lead the Labor Party to victory, the way the country is".

The ensuing federal election was easily won by Labor and Hawke became prime minister.