Australian Biography Series - Malcolm Fraser (Study Guide)

SYNOPSIS

Born in Melbourne in 1930, Malcolm Fraser grew up on farming properties in NSW and Victoria. In 1948 he was accepted into Oxford, graduating with a Masters of Arts degree. On his return to Australia, Fraser entered politics and at the age of 25 was elected the Liberal member for Wannon in Victoria, a seat previously held by the Labor Party. In 1966, he was made Minister for the Army in the Holt Government, and after Holt’s death in 1967, he became Minister for Education and Science. After the Labor victory of 1972, Fraser recast his political image and won the Liberal party leadership. Following the dramatic dismissal of the Whitlam Government in November 1975, Malcolm Fraser became Prime Minister. He was to hold office for over seven years. Fraser is perhaps most remembered for his role in the political upheaval of 1975, a series of events which commentators continue to scrutinise. More recently, Fraser was co-chairman of the Commonwealth Group of Eminent Persons, which worked toward democracy in South Africa. He formed the humanitarian aid organisation CARE Australia in 1987, which he chaired until 2002, and served as president and vice-president of CARE International.

CURRICULUM LINKS

This program will have interest and relevance for students from middle to secondary levels studying Modern History, Civics and Citizenship, Politics, Legal Studies, Economics, Studies of Society and Environment, English and Media Studies.