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Brief Biography Of Malcolm Fraser

  • 1930
    Born May 21. As a boy, he lived at Nareen in the Western District. Attended Melbourne Grammar and Magdalen College, Oxford. Studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
  • 1954
    Defeated in election for Wannon, but reduced the ALP member’s majority from 5000 to 17.
  • 1955
    Won Wannon. The seat has been held by the Liberal Party ever since.
  • 1966
    Appointed Minister for the Army by Harold Holt.
  • 1968
    Appointed Minister for Education and Science by John Gorton.
  • March 1971
    Resigned from Gorton’s Cabinet, accusing Gorton of disloyalty and a “manic determination to get his own way”. Gorton then faced a leadership challenge, losing to William McMahon. Fraser contested the Deputy’s position, but was defeated by Gorton.
  • December 1972
    Following the defeat of the McMahon government by Whitlam’s ALP, Fraser contested the leadership and deputy leadership of the Liberal Party, but was defeated for both positions.
  • November 1974
    Following the coalition’s defeat at the May 1974 elections, Fraser challenged Bill Snedden for the leadership. He was defeated.
  • March 1975
    Fraser defeats Snedden following another challenge.
  • November 11, 1975
    Fraser appointed Prime Minister by Sir John Kerr, following the dismissal of Gough Whitlam.
  • December 13, 1975
    Coalition parties win a landslide victory in the double dissolution election.
  • December 10, 1977
    Fraser wins second term, securing a majority almost as large as the one in 1975.
  • October 18, 1980
    Fraser wins a third term, but with a reduced majority.
  • 1982
    Andrew Peacock resigns from Fraser’s Cabinet, accusing him of a “manic determination to get his own way”. A leadership challenge ensues and Fraser defeats Peacock by 54 votes to 27.
  • March 5, 1983
    Having called an early double dissolution election, Fraser is defeated by the ALP, now led by Bob Hawke. Fraser immediately resigns from Parliament.
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Malcolm Farnsworth
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