Just leaving the politics to one side to look at the man, in his late years Fraser always seemed to be compensating, as though to atone for wrongs in the past. More likely it was the reaching out of a very lonely man and to an extent, his wish to be remembered for something other than as the man who brought down a rival for his own benefit. Commenting on international politics is something ex-Presidents do too. It is safe and one is usually right, somehow.

Fraser reminds me of the essential finding of the UK series that tracked people from their early childhood to adulthood, "The child is father of the man." - William Wordsworth.

I suppose we all remember the reserved child who seemed destined to forever stand apart from the rest and not because s/he wanted it to be that way either.

For all of his wealth, opportunity and achievement most wouldn't choose to walk in his shoes. It is pleasing he was able to get some closure with Whitlam though and Whitlam with him. I wonder how they both came to regard the people in the background, in the High Court for instance, who advised them at the time.

There is too much focusing on the individual, whereas the individual leader is much more at the mercy of presenting conditions and events they cannot do much about. Sells papers and entertains their dumbed-down audiences I suppose.

Fraser lived and died a true Liberal and conservative but one with a concern for humanitarian causes and he never recanted anything he believed in.

When a former Party leader and dedicated conservative is labelled as a "lefty", what does that say about the current state of political debate?

He was the last true Liberal leader. Those that followed are nothing more than a bunch of extremist Neo-Cons, all too eager to adopt the worst of the US Republican methods and policies and have sold out to extremist and religious interests just to get into power.

Compared to them, Fraser was a giant in many ways and actually left a worthwhile legacy.

I used to despise Fraser for his politics, his arrogance and the method he used to gain power but feel strangely sad at his passing.

Dear Hasbeen,

I think it's how things are said that make
a difference. Banjo could have expressed those
very same sentiments in a more restraint way
and still got his message across.

As for what the reactions would be if Mr Abbott
were to die? I would hope that people would
express their feelings in a civilized way -
and consider the feelings of his family during
a difficult time for them.

Call me old-fashioned but I really do think it is
bad form to speak ill of the dead. They can no longer
hurt you, or defend themselves - and if you have
nothing good to say then at least use some restraint
in the way you say things.

Dear Is Mise,

Thank You for sharing your story - it must have been a
great moment.

Dear Paul,

It is sad that people decide to vent their feelings
so strongly against someone who can't defend
themselves.

Dear otb,

You continue to surprise me.

Thank You for an excellent post.

Dear wobbles,

Your contribution here is greatly appreciated.

Dear runner,

That's the runner I would like to hear from more
often. Thanks for your very appropriate comments.

As a young student in the early 80s I was an active participant in the protests over "Fraser's Razor Gang" and if asked then I would have loudly and clearly spoken of my dislike for him and all he stood for.

Big Mal changed and so did my opinion of him.

He became a great man and in his reformation of himself showed why the shallow, pompous fools who spend their entire lives resisting any form of change are so little to be admired. It takes character to do as he did.

It's a shame that there is so little of it on display here from the ancient snarks who hide behind psudonyms so they never have to take responsibility for their detestable behaviour. Gutless wonders and neverweres.

Good thread, Foxy.

Dear Craig,

I agree with you - it does take character to do what
the former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser did. He was
a man of principle - not party.

As the website listed below points out -

"John Malcolm Fraser was above all else a genuine liberal
in the best sense of the word... How could it have come to
this, J>M> Fraser must have wondered constantly in more
federal years, as political behaviour, state and federal,
from top to bottom, in our parliament and out, right across
the three major parties in our democracy, became uglier,
greedier, less inclusive, less civil, less caring, more
irresponsible, more ill-mannered, more shrill, more rat bag,
and wholly more venal, indeed blighted in any and every way...
what is happening to national political life in this country?"

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-fraser-dead-the-liberal-party-turned-its-back-on-former-prime-minister-20150320-1m45wq.html