Malcolm Fraser (1930-2015), the 22nd prime minister of Australia (1975-83), died after a brief illness on March 20. He won election to the Australian parliament in 1955, served as defense minister during the Vietnam War, became leader of the opposition in 1975 and precipitated a constitutional crisis through hardball tactical opposition to the Labour government under Gough Whitlam.
The crisis was resolved with the controversial dismissal of the Whitlam government on Nov. 11, 1975, the appointment of Fraser as caretaker prime minister and the calling and holding of fresh elections, which Fraser won with a massive majority.
Fraser will forever be associated with the tumultuous events of 1975. His role in the paralysis and dismissal of a government a year after it had been re-elected will mark an indelible stain on his legacy. Yet it must also be acknowledged that there was depth, texture and nuance to his record as prime minister and his true legacy is to be seen in the face of contemporary Australia.