Skip to main content

Home

Main navigation

  • Explore the collection
    • Search the collection: RecordSearch
      • What's in the collection
      • Defence and war service records
      • First Australians
      • Immigration and citizenship
      • Cabinet
      • Intelligence and security
      • Prime ministers
      • Search for people
      • Visit our other websites
      • #ArchivesAtHome
      • Stories from the archives
  • Help with your research
      • Getting started
      • What's in the collection
      • Using the collection
      • International movement records
      • Research centres
      • Research guides
      • Research grants and scholarships
      • Research agents
      • Ask us about the collection
  • Students and teachers
      • School visits
      • Learning resources
      • Competitions and special programs
  • Information management
      • Getting started
      • Building trust in the public record
      • Public release schedule
      • Ask for advice
      • Information governance
      • Build data interoperability
      • Check-up survey
      • Legislation
      • Manage information assets
      • GAIN Australia
      • Standards
      • Metadata
      • Records authorities
      • Learning and skills
      • Information Awareness Month 2023
  • Visit us
      • Events and exhibitions
      • Research centres
      • Our locations
      • Cafe Constitution
      • Venue hire
      • Contact us
  • About us
      • What we do
      • Support us
      • Employment
      • Who we are
      • Partnerships
      • Volunteer
      • Our services
      • Members
      • Media and publications
      • Contact us
  • Toggle search
  • Toggle menu

Offscreen Menu

Menu

MAIN MENU

  • Explore the collection
    • What's in the collection
    • Defence and war service records
    • First Australians
    • Immigration and citizenship
    • Cabinet
    • Intelligence and security
    • Prime ministers
    • Search for people
    • Visit our other websites
    • #ArchivesAtHome
    • Stories from the archives
  • Help with your research
    • Getting started
    • What's in the collection
    • Using the collection
    • International movement records
    • Research centres
    • Research guides
    • Research grants and scholarships
    • Research agents
    • Ask us about the collection
  • Students and teachers
    • School visits
    • Learning resources
    • Competitions and special programs
  • Information management
    • Getting started
    • Building trust in the public record
    • Public release schedule
    • Ask for advice
    • Information governance
    • Build data interoperability
    • Check-up survey
    • Legislation
    • Manage information assets
    • GAIN Australia
    • Standards
    • Metadata
    • Records authorities
    • Learning and skills
    • Information Awareness Month 2023
  • Visit us
    • Events and exhibitions
    • Research centres
    • Our locations
    • Cafe Constitution
    • Venue hire
    • Contact us
  • About us
    • What we do
    • Support us
    • Employment
    • Who we are
    • Partnerships
    • Volunteer
    • Our services
    • Members
    • Media and publications
    • Contact us

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

This is a portrait of Prime Minister Paul Keating.

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Explore the collection
  3. Australia's prime ministers
  4. Paul Keating
  5. Paul Keating's partner: Annita Keating

Paul Keating's partner: Annita Keating

Paul Keating was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996.

Annita van Iersel was born in the Netherlands on 5 October 1948 and married Paul Keating on 17 January 1975. When Keating was Treasurer in the Hawke government from 1983 to 1991, Mrs Keating and Hazel Hawke became friends. Although Mrs Keating did not have as much experience of Australian politics as Mrs Hawke, after the Keatings moved to Canberra, both women were often in the visitors’ gallery in Parliament House.

Annita and Paul Keating with Prince and Princess Akishino at The Lodge in 1995.

Annita and Paul Keating with Prince Akishino, younger son of Japan's Emperor Akihito, and Princess Akishino at The Lodge in 1995. NAA: A8746, KN17/10/95/25

The Keatings moved into The Lodge in 1991. They made some changes to the decor and, unlike many of the earlier prime ministerial families, preferred to treat The Lodge as a family home.

Mrs Keating accompanied the Prime Minister on many of his overseas visits. Her official duties included supporting Australia’s bid for the 2000 Olympic Games, and her command of several languages and ability to ‘sell’ the bid were regarded as valuable assets in the successful negotiations in 1993. Her duties as a ‘political wife’ included participation in Labor’s election campaigns, and appearances and interviews before and after the federal budgets. A biographer of Keating recorded comments from colleagues that Mrs Keating was the ‘perfect partner’ for a prime minister, ‘supportive but not interfering, involved but not too much, determined but down to earth’.

Prime Minister Paul Keating and Annita Keating after Labor's election victory in 1993.

Prime Minister Paul Keating and Annita Keating after Labor's election victory in 1993. NAA: A6135, K18/3/93/1

In 1998, the Keatings separated. Mrs Keating became a full-time artist, working from a Sydney studio.

Sources

  • Gordon, Michael, A True Believer: Paul Keating, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1996.
  • Watson, Don, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, Knopf, Sydney, 2002.

In this section: Paul Keating

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Want some help?

Our research tips and guides could help you find what you need

Help with your research

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Robert Hawke.

Robert Hawke

1983–1991

Portrait of John Howard.

John Howard

1996–2007

Colour portrait photograph of Kevin Rudd supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Kevin Rudd

2007–2010
2013

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

Explore the stories of each prime minister's time in office through official and personal records held by the National Archives.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Archives of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

Connect with us

  • Facebook Facebook
  • Twitter Twitter
  • YouTube YouTube
  • Instagram Instagram

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site map

  • Contact us

    • +61 2 6212 3600
    • archives@naa.gov.au
    • ABN: 36 889 228 992
  • For researchers

    • RecordSearch
    • What's in the collection
    • Using the collection
    • Ask us a question about our records
    • Getting started with your research
    • Research guides
    • Grants and scholarships
    • Our other websites
  • For government

    • Agency Service Centre
    • Check-up survey
    • Building trust in the public record policy
    • Getting started with information management
    • Information governance
    • Records authorities

    For students & teachers

    • School programs
    • Plan a school visit
    • Competitions and special programs
    • Learning resources
  • Shop

    • Browse our products

    Visit us

    • Admission to the Archives is free
    • Events and exhibitions
    • Research centres
    • Our locations
  • About us

    • What we do
    • Our organisation
    • Our services
    • Our history
    • Partnerships
    • Work for us
National Archives of Australia
  • Privacy
  • Freedom of information
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
National Archives of Australia