Malcolm Fraser, a shy man, was strong enough to see us through the dismissal
|
Version 0 of 1. In many ways, the foundations of the society we enjoy as Australians today were laid by the work and beliefs of Malcolm Fraser. He was a man fiercely opposed to racial inequality. Indeed, his belief that Australia had a responsibility to resettle refugees from Indo-China, particularly Vietnam, saw the beginning of this nation’s cultural diversity. Today Australia is a remarkable mix of races, with some 6 million overseas-born citizens. The policies and programmes put forward by Fraser and his team, saw non-discriminatory principles of immigration selection become the norm. To assist with assimilation, settlement programmes were instigated and the SBS service expanded into television broadcasting as well as radio. The Australia we enjoy today, relatively free from racial discrimination, has grown from some of the policy seeds sown by Malcolm Fraser. From the time I entered the federal parliament in 1973, Fraser was a prominent figure in Australian political life. Much has been written about the turbulent events of 1975, but as one who was there, I think there was a great deal more to Fraser and his stewardship of this nation. Looking back at the events of 1975, they roll out as a film in my mind. Buoyed by a massive swing at the Bass by-election, Malcolm knew the mood of the people was changing, with more and more concern arising over the Whitlam government’s behaviour, culminating in what he termed the “reprehensible” actions of the loans affair. While these facts may be shrouded in history for younger Australians, I can attest to the palpable and almost frenzied outburst of public feeling at the time. For or against, everyone had an opinion. Friendships ended over differing views as to whether Gough Whitlam and his government should have been sacked. Whatever side of the argument you took at the time, there is no doubting the strength of Malcolm Fraser’s leadership as he sought to bring Australia out of the turbulence and back to reasoned and responsible government. The resounding victories achieved by the Coalition at two subsequent elections are testament to his strength and courage. While I may not have agreed with some of his commentary in more recent years, I reflect with pride on a number of the achievements of his years in government. The establishment of our Australian Federal Police and the introduction of Freedom of Information law are just two such achievements. On the international stage, his outspoken opposition to the evils of apartheid certainly contributed to the changes the world saw in South Africa, culminating in the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. On a more personal note, I have always thought Malcolm to be a somewhat shy man, whose public persona probably differed from his natural self. His widow Tamie, who in my view was a magnificent First Lady of Australia, was his perfect foil. While he often dominated a gathering by his stature and bearing, she brought to it a sense of refinement and calm which put all who met her at ease. I believe the people of Australia would be joining me in sending our deepest condolences to Tamie, her children and her grandchildren. For as much as Malcolm Fraser was a public figure and part of the history of the nation, he was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather. For my wife Heather and I, the passing of Malcolm Fraser is indeed a sad day in Australia’s history, but we will remember well his passion for equality and his love of family and this nation. |