Malcolm Fraser was Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister. He began his term as caretaker Prime Minister on 11 November 1975, after Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam’s Labor government. The Fraser Coalition government was returned with the largest landslide of any federal election a month later, and remained in office until 1983. Nonetheless, the constitutional crisis made its beginning controversial and marked Fraser’s prime ministership.

Malcolm Fraser had an important influence on the changing relations of countries within the British Commonwealth, and on shaping Australia’s relations with the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Though economic rationalism was introduced in policy debate during his term of office, his government reflected more traditional principles in financial management and fiscal policy.

After being elected as the member for Wannon in 1955, Malcolm Fraser spent 10 years as a backbencher in the Menzies government. He became Minister for the Army in 1966, under Harold Holt, and was also a minister in the Gorton and McMahon governments.

Did you know?

Malcolm Fraser:

• won the controversial 1975 election with the largest margin of any federal election
• had a grandfather, Simon Fraser, who was a Free Trade senator from 1901 to 1913
• at 25 years old, was the youngest ever member of parliament when he began in 1955
• served 28 years in federal parliament