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| Parliament pays tribute to Malcolm Fraser – politics live | Parliament pays tribute to Malcolm Fraser – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.11am AEST23:11 | |
| In this segment of the speech the prime minister is attempting to position Malcolm Fraser within the conservative political tradition. Abbott speaks of the estrangement between Fraser and the Liberal party. | |
| Some years ago Whitlam observed with characteristic wit that Fraser had surplanted him as the principal bogeyman of the hard right and that this second usurpation had been easier to take than the first. As the Hawke government implemented market-driven reforms, a sense grew, especially among Liberals, that the Fraser government might have marked time. | |
| John Howard has famously observed that the Australian Liberal party, unlike its namesakes elsewhere, is the custodian in this country of both the Liberal political tradition and the conservative one. But, Madam Speaker, there is in fact a third tradition that our party represents, as vital as our Liberal and our conservative philosophies, a dedication to service and to repaying good fortune. | |
| 10.06am AEST23:06 | |
| Abbott: Fraser gave the country what it needed at that time | |
| Tony Abbott: | |
| (Fraser) was a Liberal humanitarian who worked against white minority governments in southern Africa, and a staunch anti-communist who tried to keep our sports stars from the Moscow Olympics after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. At the height of the Whitlam turmoil, he’d said that he’d like to see sport rather than politics on the front page and, Madam Speaker, when he imposed the Olympic ban, he managed to realise that goal. | |
| Fraser was not an avid social reformer like Whitlam, nor a mould breaking economic reformer like Hawke, but he gave the country what we needed at that time. He restored economic responsibility while recognising social change. | |
| 10.04am AEST23:04 | |
| Tributes for Malcolm Fraser | |
| The prime minister Tony Abbott starts with .. the building. | |
| Madam Speaker, it’s fitting that we celebrate the life and legacy of our 22nd prime minister here in this chamber because this very building is one of his achievements. He was prepared to endure jibes about politicians spending money on themselves because he understood that Australians would come to appreciate a parliament house that reflected our pride in ourselves and in our country. He foresaw a building that would be the crowning achievement of the parliamentary triangle and along with the National Gallery and the High Court that were also started on his watch would reflect the modern nation we have become. He was right. And, of course, as so often happens our public life, his government wore the brick bats for starting it and another government gained the credit for opening it. | |
| 10.01am AEST23:01 | |
| The bells are ringing for the Fraser condolence. Some additional recommended reading for you all, this new blog post from Piping Shrike. I see Fraser as Australia’s last pre-globalisation prime minister. Piping Shrike’s post considers Fraser in the analytical framework of his anti-Communism. | |
| As Australian MPs gather, British PM David Cameron has expressed sympathy. | |
| I’m saddened to hear of Malcolm Fraser’s death. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the people of Australia. His influence endured beyond his time as prime minister, especially his work on human rights. He will be sorely missed. | |
| 9.49am AEST22:49 | |
| Given those comments on Radio National from Julie Bishop have grown legs and are now sprinting around the building, here’s what she said, in non-paraphrased form. | |
| I’m not aware of that detail, so I read that for the first time in Greg Sheridan’s column today. So I’ll certainly be taking that up with the treasurer to find out the source of that story. | |
| Asked whether she would be aware if an aid cut was in contemplation, Bishop replied: well you’d hope I would be, wouldn’t you? | |
| 9.43am AEST22:43 | |
| Situation normal – I have no idea what you are talking about | |
| Social services minister Scott Morrison has paused a moment to chew the fat with reporters. | |
| Q: What do you make of David Leyonhjelm’s comments that essentially suspending Parliament today for condolence motions is over the top? | |
| Morrison: | |
| This is the normal practice, it is exactly what we did recently with the passing of Gough Whitlam. I think it’s fitting in this country we honour the contribution of prime ministers who have passed away, from whatever side of politics they come from. It’s important to show respect for the office and importantly to mark our respect for their contribution and to express our thanks to the family who will be going through a difficult time and it’s important that they understand that the country values the great sacrifice and contribution that their loved one has made. | |
| Q: Do you believe Cabinet colleagues are briefing against Julie Bishop on foreign aid cuts? | |
| I have no idea what you are talking about. | |
| 9.36am AEST22:36 | 9.36am AEST22:36 |
| Look at me. Pretty please. | Look at me. Pretty please. |
| Some people really go to extraordinary lengths to get noticed. LDP senator David Leyonhjelm in an interview with Fairfax Media. | Some people really go to extraordinary lengths to get noticed. LDP senator David Leyonhjelm in an interview with Fairfax Media. |
| We have an awful lot of work to do and we lose a whole day for condolence motions? It might be okay to stop for a few hours but losing a whole day I think is over the top. I hope Hawkey doesn’t die otherwise we’ll never get any work done. | We have an awful lot of work to do and we lose a whole day for condolence motions? It might be okay to stop for a few hours but losing a whole day I think is over the top. I hope Hawkey doesn’t die otherwise we’ll never get any work done. |
| It’s been quite jarring watching some of the right’s churlishness around Fraser since Friday. Fraser won three elections for the Liberal party. Repeat that, three elections, for the Liberal party. | It’s been quite jarring watching some of the right’s churlishness around Fraser since Friday. Fraser won three elections for the Liberal party. Repeat that, three elections, for the Liberal party. |
| 9.15am AEST22:15 | 9.15am AEST22:15 |
| The first I learned of that was in Greg Sheridan's column .. | The first I learned of that was in Greg Sheridan's column .. |
| Just a quick catch up on some of the non-Fraser events of the morning. | Just a quick catch up on some of the non-Fraser events of the morning. |
| 8.51am AEST21:51 | 8.51am AEST21:51 |
| Good morning everyone and welcome to Monday. We are a bit late with our kick-off this morning because federal parliament will shortly suspend routine business to allow a condolence debate noting the death of Australia’s 22nd prime minister Malcolm Fraser last Friday after a short illness. | Good morning everyone and welcome to Monday. We are a bit late with our kick-off this morning because federal parliament will shortly suspend routine business to allow a condolence debate noting the death of Australia’s 22nd prime minister Malcolm Fraser last Friday after a short illness. |
| The debate marking the life and times of Fraser will kick off at 10am this morning in both chambers. Both places will then adjourn for the remainder of the day. | The debate marking the life and times of Fraser will kick off at 10am this morning in both chambers. Both places will then adjourn for the remainder of the day. |
| Lots of terrific pieces have been written about Fraser’s prime ministership since news of his death broke last Friday morning. Our coverage – which includes reflections from Fred Chaney, Julian Burnside, Robert Manne, Margaret Simons – and analysis from Lenore Taylor and myself – can be found here. | Lots of terrific pieces have been written about Fraser’s prime ministership since news of his death broke last Friday morning. Our coverage – which includes reflections from Fred Chaney, Julian Burnside, Robert Manne, Margaret Simons – and analysis from Lenore Taylor and myself – can be found here. |
| The ABC also turned around a Fraser tribute which aired last night, which contained one of his last major interviews with journalist George Megalogenis. It’s well worth a watch and can be found on iview here. | The ABC also turned around a Fraser tribute which aired last night, which contained one of his last major interviews with journalist George Megalogenis. It’s well worth a watch and can be found on iview here. |
| I’ll be covering the chamber debate live, as well as the normal run of politics throughout the day. The comments thread is open for your business and you can find us on Twitter @murpharoo and @mpbowers | I’ll be covering the chamber debate live, as well as the normal run of politics throughout the day. The comments thread is open for your business and you can find us on Twitter @murpharoo and @mpbowers |
| Updated at 8.52am AEST | Updated at 8.52am AEST |