Our Patron

The Rt Honorable Malcolm Fraser AC CH

Biography

Malcolm Fraser was born in Melbourne on 21st May, 1930 and educated at Melbourne Grammar and Oxford University where he took his degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics graduating in 1952.

Shortly after his return to Australia, Malcolm Fraser, gained Liberal Party pre-selection for the electorate of Wannon in south west Victoria and was elected to the Federal Parliament in 1955 during the Menzies Government.

Malcolm Fraser was first appointed to the Ministry with the Army portfolio in January 1966 and in February 1968 he was promoted to Cabinet rank with the post of Minister for Education and Science.  He was appointed Minister of State for Defence on 12th November, 1969.

As Minister for the Army, Mr Fraser made visits to Vietnam in January 1966 and in July 1967.  During his 1966 mission, he also visited the Philippines, Thailand, Laos and Malaysia, including the Malaysian/Borneo states, and also Brunei.

As Minister for Education and Science, Malcolm Fraser was abroad as leader of an Australian cultural mission to Italy in April 1969 and as the representative of the Australian Government at the Singapore 150th Anniversary celebrations in August 1969.

He was re-appointed to the Ministry with Cabinet rank on 20th August, 1971 and served as Minister for Education and Science until the change in Government at the December 2 General Elections in 1972.

In January 1973, Malcolm Fraser was appointed Liberal Party spokesman on Primary Industry.

On 21st March 1975, Malcolm Fraser became the Leader of the Opposition.

He was appointed a Companion of Honour on 26th January 1977.  He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia on 13th June 1988.

On the 11th November 1975, Mr Fraser was appointed Prime Minister of a Caretaker Government pending the outcome of a General Election.

Mr Fraser’s Government was subsequently re-elected, in 1977 and 1980.  On 25th February 1983, Mr Fraser became Australia’s second longest serving Prime Minister.  Mr Fraser resigned from the Parliament in April 1983 after nearly 28 years as the Member for Wannon.

In Washington, in September 1980, B’nai B’rith International presented Mr Fraser with its President’s Gold Medal for Humanitarian Services.

In September 1985 Mr Fraser chaired the United Nations hearings in New York on the Role of Multinationals in South Africa and Namibia.

Mr Fraser was Co-Chairman of the Commonwealth Committee of Eminent Persons, formed to encourage a process of dialogue and reform in South Africa.  October 1985 – August 1986

In 1989 he was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Committee on African Commodity Problems which reported to Secretary-General de Cuellar in June 1990.

Mr Fraser was Chairman of CARE Australia from 1987 – December 2001. He was President of CARE International from 1990-1995, and was Vice President from 1995-1999.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission awarded Mr Fraser the 2000 Australian Human Rights Medal.

International Crisis Group Board Member 1996-2000.  Senior Advisor to the ICG 2000—.

In December 2001 Mr Fraser helped establish Australians for Just Refugee Programs (Inc) whose purpose was to promote the observance of international human rights and international refugee conventions adopted by Australia for those seeking refuge or asylum in Australia. In 2005 the group became A Just Australia and Mr Fraser continued his association.

Mr Fraser was Joint Patron of the Journey of Healing, National Sorry Day Committee from 2002-2006.  Since 2007 he has been Patron of the Stolen Generations Alliance (Australians for Healing, Truth and Justice).

In 2002 Mr Fraser published his book “Common Ground – Issues that should bind and not divide us”. Updated 2003 in paperback by Penguin.

A Founder of The Justice Project, set up in 2004 to stand up for basic human rights in our society.

2006 founded website:  www.australiansall.com.au dedicated to opposing all forms of racism and discrimination, selectivity in the application of the law and public policy that seeks to divide or exclude.

2009 founded an Australian group to support the work of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (founded by Prime Minister Rudd), to promote international cooperation in forging a world free of nuclear weapons.

March 2010 published “Malcolm Fraser the Political Memoirs” by Malcolm Fraser and Margaret Simons, published by Miegunyah Press.

Mr Fraser is married to Tamie.  They have four children, and ten grandchildren.

Mr Fraser likes to devote any spare time to his interests of photography, fishing, golf and vintage cars.