Tomorrow I will be attending the State Funeral for the Right Honourable (John) Malcolm Fraser AC CH GCL, the former Prime Minister of Australia, on behalf of the Premier and the Tasmanian Parliament.
The funeral will be held at Scots’ Church in Melbourne at 11.30am.
The flag at Parliament House in Hobart will be flown at half-mast tomorrow as a mark of respect for Mr Fraser.
Mr Fraser made an enormous contribution to the nation as Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister from 1975 – 1983 and as the Member in the House of Representatives for the Federal Seat of Wannon for 28 years (1955 – 1983), during which time he was a Minister for portfolios including Defence, the Army, and Education and Science.
His long legacy of achievements include settling the country following significant political upheaval, improving the economic outlook, driving social changes and diversifying Australia into a multicultural nation.
Mr Fraser will be remembered as a powerful figure in Australian politics, who had a great presence and strength of character, and whose wisdom was valued by all sides of politics.
As has been previously noted, Mr Fraser was a good friend of Tasmania. His Government established the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme in 1976, the Australian Maritime College in Launceston in 1980 and moved the Australian Antarctic Division to Kingston in 1981.
Other achievements included the establishment of the multicultural broadcaster SBS, the Special Broadcasting Service, the Australian Refugee Advisory Council, and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Mr Fraser was committed to strengthening indigenous rights and oversaw the passage of legislation for Aboriginal traditional land rights in 1976. He was also prominent in international affairs and human rights.
Following the end of his political career, his affection for Tasmania continued with family holidays to the Fraser’s fishing shack in the Central Highlands.
On behalf of the Parliament and indeed Tasmanians, I extend my sincere condolences to Mr Fraser’s wife Tamie, their children and grandchildren.
Mr Fraser passed away last Friday at age 84.
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