Former prime minister Bob Hawke says Labor still has chance to win election FORMER prime minister Bob Hawke says he does not believe Kevin Rudd's alleged mistreatment of a make-up artist at last night's debate will hurt his election chances. In Adelaide for an ALP supporters' lunch, he also said it's "still too early to tell" who will win the September 7 election. Mr Hawke said the polls did not look good for the Government but it could still win. "Anything can still happen I think," said Mr Hawke, now in his 80s. It's still too early to tell. I think the campaign has still got a lot of time. On the published polls you'd have to say the Opposition looks more likely at the moment but certainly I'm not giving it away. If there was a large swing in SA, Mr Hawke said it could take out at least one Labor seat but "most of the seats are held reasonably comfortably," he said. However, Mr Hawke was tight-lipped on any advice for current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, saying any tips would be given in private. He did not think Mr Rudd's alleged mistreatment of a make-up artist before last night's second leaders debate did him "any harm" but was more critical of Mr Abbott's comment that Mr Rudd would never "shut up" . "I don't think it will win him any votes," he said, adding "one or two" major mistakes by Mr Abbott could turn the tide away from the Coalition. "I like him (Abbott) personally but politically he's very volatile," Mr Hawke said. Mr Hawke is in Adelaide for a sold-out event at the Crowne Plaza with Education and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten. Some hopefuls were turned away, showing Mr Hawke's popularity has not waned, with the former PM asked to pose for photos and sign books.