About this record

This black-and-white photograph is an official portrait of John Malcolm Fraser, Australia's twenty-second prime minister. Following the dismissal of the Whitlam government on 11 November 1975, the Governor-General appointed Fraser as caretaker prime minister. A month later Fraser was elected prime minister. 

Fraser and his government worked to reduce expenditure while supporting increases in defence spending. He looked to continue relations with countries in the East and South-East Asian region and worked on Australian immigration programs.