FRASER, JOHN MALCOLM (AUSTRALIA)

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06893588
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 26, 2021
• Case Number: F-2020-01826
• Publication Date: February 27, 1976

Approved for Release: 2021/08/25 C06893588
wiCLASS IFIED
(John) Malcolm FRASER
Prime Minister
Addressed as:
Mr. Prime Minister
Leader of the Liberal
Party (LP) since March
1975, Malcolm Fraser,
45, became Prime Minis-
ter in the coalition
government formed after
the electoral victory
of the LP and the
National Country Party
on 13 December 1975.
As leader of the opposi-
tion, Fraser had been
named caretaker Prime
Minister on 11 November, when Australia's Governor
General sacked Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
after a parliamentary impasse over the budget.
Long active in the LP, he had held several Cabinet
posts in previous conservative governments, most
recently (August 1971-December 1972) that of
Minister for Education and Science. Fraser also
served earlier (November 1969-March 1971) as Minis-
ter for Defense, and he has retained a keen
interest in defense and foreign policy matters.
Born in Melbourne, John Malcolm Fraser is the
grandson of a man who came to Australia from Nova
Scotia during the 19th-century gold rush and
eventually became a member of the first Common-
wealth Parliament. Malcolm Fraser received a
master's degree with honors in philosophy, politi-
cal science and economics from Magdalen College of
Oxford University. First elected to the House of
Representatives in 1955, he has been reelected
ever since.
am/ eg_f -
AUSTRALIA
Fraser visited the United States on a Leader
Grant in 1964 and returned in 1970 as Minister of
Defense to confer with US officials. A wealthy
man, he owns a house in Canberra and an 8,000-
acre estate in Victoria, where he raises cattle
and sheep. His leisure interests include fishing
and photography. Fraser is married and has four
children.
27 February 1976
CR M 76-10596
Approved for Release: 2021/08/25 C06893588