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| Parliament pays tribute to Malcolm Fraser – politics live | Parliament pays tribute to Malcolm Fraser – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.46am AEST23:46 | |
| Shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen. | |
| Malcolm Fraser was an extraordinary man. A big, strong willed man who didn’t hesitate to use his force of will to insist on what he saw as the right outcome for his country. | |
| The years 1975-1983 were the Fraser years, full stop. | |
| Much to the chagrin of our party and to many in his own party he dominated his government completely. He dominated this parliament like few others have. | |
| In losing Malcolm Fraser we have lost a link to an era not just his own. But the Menzies era before it also. | |
| 10.44am AEST23:44 | |
| Truss ends on a happier coalition note. | |
| As Paul Kelly observed in ‘The Australian’ on the weekend, the Fraser/Anthony/Nixon/Sinclair era gave the Coalition perhaps its deepest meaning. All of us who have followed in both the Liberal and National parties learned and benefited from that experience and I believe the country is significantly the better for it. | |
| Malcolm Fraser made an extraordinary contribution to an Australian history and helped create a modern and outward looking nation. Doug Anthony concluded his tribute to Malcolm Fraser over the weekend with the words “Today I have lost a good friend and Australia has lost a fine statesman”. | |
| May he rest in peace. I also extend my condolences to his family, particularly his greatly loved and admired wife, Tamie, his children and grandchildren and I salute a great Australian. | |
| 10.42am AEST23:42 | |
| After advising the left to bury the hatchet, Truss reveals he’s carried a longstanding sand mining grudge. | |
| Great convictions of his own ... weren’t always shared by those who supported him. | |
| He earned the ire of my electorate when he stopped sand mining on Fraser Island, ending an important local industry and costing many jobs. | |
| If you visit the mining areas today, you couldn’t separate them from the places that were never mined. As the locals told him in no uncertain terms, it would have – that would happen at the time. | |
| (A thirty year sand mining grudge is quite a grudge.) | |
| 10.39am AEST23:39 | |
| Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek says human rights was a consistent cause of Malcolm Fraser’s throughout his public life. | |
| In recent years, he was embraced by many on the progressive side of politics for his outspoken defence of human rights, for his commitment to and respect for international institutions and for his advocacy for reconciliation and for a truly independent Australia, a republic. | |
| These weren’t new causes for Malcolm Fraser. As prime minister, as well as sharing the bipartisan opposition to apartheid, Mr Fraser continued the work of the Whitlam government on land rights, as well as passing the Human Rights Commission Act in 1981 – and establishing the Human Rights Commission. | |
| Nationals leader Warren Truss. | |
| To conservatives of the day he was a hero for entering what was regarded as one of the worst governments in our country’s history. So bad that extraordinary means justified the end. There is no doubt that vast majority of Australian people at the time agreed with Malcolm Fraser’s actions because his victory in the 175 election remains the biggest landslide victory in our history. The Coalition won 91 seats in the house to Labor’s 36 and he went on to win two more elections. | |
| On the other side there were those who sought to maintain the rage and it is therefore a great irony that Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser buried the hatchet a long time ago. Perhaps others should take their lead. | |
| 10.33am AEST23:33 | |
| Julie Bishop, continuing. | |
| One of the signature decisions of (the Fraser government) was to reverse the refusal to take refugees from the wars of Indochina. This was one of the first signs of his deeply held humanity and compassion that drove Malcolm Fraser throughout his life and which caused his latest self imposed estrangement from the Liberal party. | |
| Malcolm Fraser worked hard in the community so the influx of refugees was accepted and embraced. This was a significant achievement in terms of social harmony. Their energy and commitment to Australia brought significant change, to the betterment of our community. | |
| The enduring legacy of Malcolm Fraser’s life is in the example he set of strong and practical action across so many fields. Of big thinking, of intellectual rigour, not complacency. A boundless ambition for this country and all informed by the deepest Liberal principles of equality of opportunity and an abhorrence of prejudice. | |
| Malcolm Fraser always sought to advance humanity by challenging the norms and not allowing society to turn a blind eye to social challenges. | |
| He could make life uncomfortable for those of us making current policy and laws, but we will be the poorer as a nation for the loss of his oversight. | |
| Updated at 10.49am AEST | |
| 10.30am AEST23:30 | |
| Watching on from the floor, the former director of the Liberal party during the Fraser years, Tony Eggleton. | |
| 10.26am AEST23:26 | |
| When as prime minister he ignored treasury advice to maintain ongoing direct budgetary support (for Papua New Guinea) .. | |
| This is Julie Bishop. Speaking about Fraser. And possibly debates that endure. | |
| 10.25am AEST23:25 | |
| Just as placing Fraser in the centre-right tradition was the core challenge for Abbott in his condolence debate, the coming to terms with the dismissal is the challenge for Shorten. | |
| Shorten says it is time to put the acrimony of 1975 in the past. Fraser and Gough Whitlam did – so we should as well. | |
| Bill Shorten: | |
| Let us take inspiration from Malcolm Fraser and Whitlam, standing together on the steps of the Victorian parliament in 1999, arms aloft, rallying support for the republic. Or that wonderful ad created for the “yes” campaign where Whitlam looks at Fraser, eyes twinkling and says, “Malcolm, it’s time.” Malcolm looks back at Gough with that same good humoured glint of irony and says, “It is”. | |
| Let us remember the second Whitlam oration was given by Malcolm Fraser at Gough Whitlam’s insistence with a video introduction by Whitlam. | |
| Most fittingly of all, let us remember Whitlam’s hand resting on Fraser’s shoulder on the morning of the national apology by the Rudd government. | |
| Two champions of the rights and opportunities of first Australians, standing with their successors, united, celebrating a day of justice and healing. | |
| If those two titans could find it in themselves to make peace and build a friendship, to campaign together for shared beliefs, then none of us have the right to hold on to the bitterness of that bygone era. | |
| This chapter in our nation’s life is closed. | |
| 10.20am AEST23:20 | |
| The Labor leader Bill Shorten opens his contribution thus. | |
| We farewell a person of hidden depths in many parts, a man often misunderstood. For some, Malcolm Fraser was a hero who became a villain. For others, he was a villain who became a hero. But neither of these simple sketches are fair – and in time history’s judgment will be kinder than either. The good that Malcolm Fraser did will live after him to his great and enduring credit. | |
| 10.16am AEST23:16 | |
| Our challenge is not to say goodbye, it’s to be more magnanimous in his death than we were in his life. | |
| Abbott thanks Fraser’s wife Tamie and their children and grandchildren. The point is that thanks have been slow to come. | |
| The prime minister: | |
| I extend the condolences of the parliament and the people of Australia. I also extend to them, Madam Speaker, the gratitude of our party. Yes, today I say thank you to them because my party has not said thank you often enough to their husband and father. | |
| For most of his life, Malcolm Fraser was a classic representative of our party. He was conservative when he declared that the values and principles by which we live, the human relationships which guide us, and the values to which we aspire as Liberals will not change. | |
| He was Liberal when he stated that each man, from the street cleaner to the industrialist, has an equal right to a full and happy life, to go his own way unhampered as long as he does not harm our precious social fabric. | |
| And he was above all an Australian patriot when he declared at his first pre-selection that I could not enter this fight if I did not love Australia. | |
| He was never considered a popular politician, although he won three elections, including the two biggest landslides in Australian history. | |
| Madam Speaker, years ago when I was helping to draft the Fightback document, I sought to include a few observations that were critical of the Fraser government. My senior collaborator, David Kemp rightly chided me on the grounds that it’s hard to disown your past without diminishing your future. | |
| In a sense, today’s proceedings are a farewell to this complex and driven man, to this forceful and effective leader, to this rare public personality who gained the support of all points on the political spectrum, but almost never at the same time. | |
| But, Madam Speaker, we Liberals owe him more than that. Our challenge is not to say goodbye, it’s to be more magnanimous in his death than we were in his life. | |
| Updated at 10.19am AEST | |
| 10.11am AEST23:11 | 10.11am AEST23:11 |
| In this segment of the speech the prime minister is attempting to position Malcolm Fraser within Australia’s centre-right 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Updated at 10.18am AEST | |
| 10.06am AEST23:06 | 10.06am AEST23:06 |
| Abbott: Fraser gave the country what it needed at that time | Abbott: Fraser gave the country what it needed at that time |
| Tony Abbott: | 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 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. | 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 | 10.04am AEST23:04 |
| Tributes for Malcolm Fraser | Tributes for Malcolm Fraser |
| The prime minister Tony Abbott starts with .. the building. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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? | 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 | 9.43am AEST22:43 |
| Situation normal – I have no idea what you are talking about | 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. | 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? | Q: What do you make of David Leyonhjelm’s comments that essentially suspending Parliament today for condolence motions is over the top? |
| Morrison: | 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. | 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? | Q: Do you believe Cabinet colleagues are briefing against Julie Bishop on foreign aid cuts? |
| I have no idea what you are talking about. | 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 |