Fraser, Malcolm

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John Malcolm Fraser, known as Malcolm, was Prime Minister of Australia from 1975 to 1983. He was elected Liberal member for Wannon in Western Victoria in 1955. He gained his first Cabinet post as Minister for the Army in 1966 and later became Minister for Education and Science (1968-1969 and 1971-1972) and Minister for Defence (1969-1971). He became leader of the Liberal Party in March 1975, and in November was appointed caretaker Prime Minister following the dismissal of the Whitlam government. He served as Prime Minister until 1983. Malcolm Fraser continues to have a prominent role in Australian society as a writer and commentator on issues such as multiculturalism, reconciliation with indigenous Australians, human rights and the Australian government's responses to asylum-seekers.