Australia's Malcolm Fraser Remembered as Champion of Rights

Australia's former conservative prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who died today aged 84, was seen as a voice for human rights who oversaw an upsurge in immigration from Asia.

A sharp intellect and prolific tweeter whose last comments related to the role of China, Israeli politics and the cricket World Cup among other issues, Fraser came to power in the tumultuous events of 1975.

He became caretaker prime minister after the representative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, governor-general Sir John Kerr, dismissed the previous Labor government in Australia's greatest constitutional crisis.

But he went on to win the largest landslide of any national election in the country a month later, and remained in office until 1983.

"Those who recall the manner of his election discouragingly should remember Malcolm as a liberal on issues of race and human rights," said senior Liberal backbencher Philip Ruddock.

An Oxford graduate and grazier, John Malcolm Fraser became a member of federal parliament in 1955 when, as a 25-year-old, he was the youngest MP in Canberra that year.

By 1966, he was a minister, and by early 1975 was leader of the opposition.

In government, Fraser sought to reduce spending, streamline the public service and provide responsible fiscal management.

But his biggest influence on Australian society is regarded as his government's revitalised immigration programme.

Between 1975 and 1982, some 200,000 migrants arrived from Asian countries, including close to 56,000 Vietnamese people who applied as refugees due to a conflict in their homeland.

"The face of Australia was permanently changed, it's one of his biggest contributions to nation-building," said Margaret Simons, who co-wrote the book 'Malcolm Fraser: The Political Memoirs" with the former leader.

Voice of conscience

"Malcolm Fraser was a consistent voice of conscience on issues of human rights, most consistently he was an anti-racist throughout his career," Simons told AFP.

Under Fraser, Australia established its Human Rights Commission, while radio and television services for different ethnic groups were provided by the network SBS.

As noted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, under Fraser's leadership, Australia was "an unwavering opponent of apartheid". He maintained throughout his life a deep interest in the advancement of indigenous people.

In one memorable moment, as he took up the fight against South Africa's apartheid, Fraser met with Nelson Mandela in prison in Cape Town in 1986 after the African leader had been in jail for 22 years.

"He looked at me and said, 'Mr Fraser, is Donald Bradman still alive?'" he later recalled, adding he was pleased to subsequently give Mandela a bat signed by the Australian cricketing great.

Under Fraser, the first Australian sites were placed on the World Heritage List, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was declared and the Australian Federal Police formed.

In 1987, the former prime minister formed CARE Australia as part of the international network of humanitarian aid organisations.

In his latter years, he became disillusioned with his own conservative Liberal Party, particularly over hardline policies against asylum-seekers arriving by boat.

He supported both Australia breaking ties with the British monarchy and becoming a republic, and a national apology to Aborigines for past wrongs delivered in 2009 by former Labor leader Kevin Rudd.

Fraser's passing drew sadness across the political spectrum.

"Mr Fraser was a politician of principle and leader of compassion. A true gentleman with a heart full of empathy. I am devastated," said Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

He leaves behind wife Tammie and four children.