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Malcolm Fraser: Former Australian PM dies aged 84 | Malcolm Fraser: Former Australian PM dies aged 84 |
(35 minutes 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, who led the nation between 1975 and 1983, died after a short illness. | A statement from his office said Mr Fraser, who led the nation between 1975 and 1983, died after a short illness. |
He became its leader in controversial circumstances, after the unprecedented dismissal of PM Gough Whitlam. | He became its leader in controversial circumstances, after the unprecedented dismissal of PM Gough Whitlam. |
Once in office, he championed the rights of Indigenous Australians and refugees, a stance that put him on a collision course with his own party in later life. | Once in office, he championed the rights of Indigenous Australians and refugees, a stance that put him on a collision course with his own party in later life. |
The statement from his office said he "died peacefully in the early hours of the morning" on Friday. | The statement from his office said he "died peacefully in the early hours of the morning" on Friday. |
"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," it added. | "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," it added. |
'Keen interest' | 'Keen interest' |
The constitutional crisis that led to Mr Fraser becoming prime minister in 1975 formed an integral part of his image in Australia. | The constitutional crisis that led to Mr Fraser becoming prime minister in 1975 formed an integral part of his image in Australia. |
As leader of the opposition he blocked finance bills for government programmes, forcing Governor-General Sir John Kerr to dismiss Mr Whitlam as prime minister. | As leader of the opposition he blocked finance bills for government programmes, forcing Governor-General Sir John Kerr to dismiss Mr Whitlam as prime minister. |
Mr Fraser was then appointed caretaker prime minister at the head of a Liberal-Country Party coalition government until an election in December, which he won by a landslide. | Mr Fraser was then appointed caretaker prime minister 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. | 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 office, Mr Fraser continued some of the reforms begun by Mr Whitlam, including the introduction of legislation that returned land to Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory. | In office, Mr Fraser continued some of the reforms begun by Mr Whitlam, including the introduction of legislation that returned land to Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory. |
Other achievements during his three terms of office included the creation of Australia's family court. | |
The Fraser government also launched the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a government-funded multilingual broadcaster much-loved by Australia's immigrant communities. The SBS was indicative of Mr Fraser's commitment to the rights of those born elsewhere who made Australia their home. | |
He was staunchly anti-apartheid, and campaigned during his leadership against the racial segregation in South Africa. | |
Mr Fraser's political legacy also protects Australia's greatest environmental treasure - his government declared 36,000 sq/km of the Cairns section of the Great Barrier Reef a marine park. | |
In later years, following his defeat by Labor's Bob Hawke in 1983, Mr Fraser adopted the mantle of the elder statesman and he became a key figure in humanitarian and diplomatic circles. | In later years, following his defeat by Labor's Bob Hawke in 1983, Mr Fraser adopted the mantle of the elder statesman and he became 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 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. | He became so disenchanted with the Liberal Party that in 2010 he renounced his membership. |
Australian Prime Minister and current Liberal leader Tony Abbott, often a target of Mr Fraser's criticism, praised the former leader for his "unwavering" opposition to apartheid and "deep interest in the advancement of indigenous people". | Australian Prime Minister and current Liberal leader Tony Abbott, often a target of Mr Fraser's criticism, praised the former leader 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. | "In a long and active retirement, he maintained a keen interest in our country's direction," Mr Abbott said. |
'Great integrity' | 'Great integrity' |
Tributes to the former prime minister poured in from politicians across the party divide. | Tributes to the former prime minister poured in from politicians across the party divide. |
Many praised Mr Fraser for his efforts to create a home in Australia for refugees and to fight for the rights of those suffering racial discrimination. | Many praised Mr Fraser for his efforts to create a home in Australia for refugees and to fight for the rights of those suffering racial discrimination. |
Labor leader Bill Shorten said Mr Fraser had "immeasurably enriched Australia's multicultural society, offering refuge to tens of thousands of vulnerable people driven from Vietnam by the horror of war". | Labor leader Bill Shorten said Mr Fraser had "immeasurably enriched Australia's multicultural society, offering refuge to tens of thousands of vulnerable people driven from Vietnam by the horror of war". |
Former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called him "a compassionate Australian who cared for people at home or abroad who had little or nothing to protect them". | Former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called him "a compassionate Australian who cared for people at home or abroad who had little or nothing to protect them". |
Another former leader, Julia Gillard said he "was a leader in the fight for racial equality". | Another former leader, Julia Gillard said he "was a leader in the fight for racial equality". |
"His brave stance against the evil of South Africa's apartheid helped changed the world for the better," she said. | "His brave stance against the evil of South Africa's apartheid helped changed the world for the better," she said. |
Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard credited the former prime minister with bringing "great integrity" to governing Australia. | Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard credited the former prime minister with bringing "great integrity" to governing Australia. |
"Anybody who achieves what Malcolm Fraser achieved in his life deserves respect as a quite extraordinary Australian," Mr Howard said. | "Anybody who achieves what Malcolm Fraser achieved in his life deserves respect as a quite extraordinary Australian," Mr Howard said. |
Christine Milne, leader of the Greens, said Mr Fraser made an "enormous contribution to Australia" and praised him for his "compassion and dedication to building a thriving and peaceful multicultural society". | Christine Milne, leader of the Greens, said Mr Fraser made an "enormous contribution to Australia" and praised him for his "compassion and dedication to building a thriving and peaceful multicultural society". |