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Malcolm Fraser: Former Australian PM dies aged 84 | Malcolm Fraser: Former Australian PM dies aged 84 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has died aged 84. | Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has died aged 84. |
A statement from his office said Mr Fraser had died after a short illness. | A statement from his office said Mr Fraser had died after a short illness. |
He was prime minister and leader of Australia's Liberal Party from 1975 to 1983. | He was prime minister and leader of Australia's Liberal Party from 1975 to 1983. |
"It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015," the statement said. | "It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015," the statement said. |
"We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time." | "We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time." |
Mr Fraser became prime minister in 1975 under controversial circumstances. | |
As leader of the opposition, he blocked finance bills for government programmes, leading to Governor-General Sir John Kerr's dismissal of the serving prime minister, Gough Whitlam. | |
Mr Fraser then served as caretaker at the head of a Liberal-Country Party coalition government until an election in December, which he won by a landslide. | |
Gough Whitlam's dismissal shocked the country and, with Mr Whitlam calling on his supporters to "maintain your rage", sparked off protest strikes and violent demonstrations. | |
In later years, Mr Fraser adopted the mantle of the elder statesman and he become a key figure in humanitarian and diplomatic circles. | |
He was a staunch critic of his own party, particularly under John Howard's leadership between 1996 and 2007 because of the party's policies on rights of Indigenous Australians and refugees. | |
He became so disenchanted with the Liberal Party that in 2010 he renounced his membership. | |
Australian Prime Minister and current Liberal leader Tony Abbott praised Mr Fraser for his "unwavering" opposition to apartheid and "deep interest in the advancement of indigenous people". | |
"In a long and active retirement, he maintained a keen interest in our country's direction," Mr Abbott said. | |
'A politician of principle' | |
Tributes to the former prime minister poured in from Australian politicians across the party divide. | |
As he was about to give a speech about taxation on Friday, Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey paid tribute to Mr Fraser and passed on his condolences to the former Liberal leader's family. | |
"Quite obviously, these events just indicate how in one way or another we all stand on the shoulders of those before us," said Mr Hockey. | |
"Right or wrong, many people have contributed to public life over a long period of time that have helped to build a better Australia and unquestionably he was one of them. So we pass on our condolences." | |
Education Minister Christopher Pyne said: "Vale Malcolm Fraser. A life dedicated to the service of our country. We will be poorer without him. Thoughts are with his family." | |
Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens senator for South Australia, called him a "politician of principle and a leader of compassion", adding that she was "devastated" by the news. |