CEDA is saddened to hear of the passing of former prime minister the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC.
Mr Fraser was a long term supporter of CEDA and was a member of CEDA’s Board of Governors, an advisory body comprised of eminent Australians. His involvement with CEDA began in the mid-1970s when he became prime minister.
CEDA Chief Executive Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin said Malcolm Fraser’s commitment and service to the economic development of Australia had been tremendous.
“His contribution to CEDA has been outstanding. He was always a great contributor to discussions at CEDA, both at forums, as a speaker and attendee, and through his role as Governor, on what issues should be on the CEDA and national agenda and how they might be tackled,” Professor Martin said.
“We pass on our sincerest condolences to his family on his passing.”
The Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC served as Australia's 22nd Prime Minister from 1975 until he resigned from federal politics in 1983 after 28 years as the Federal Member for Wannon. He held several ministries during his time in Parliament including Minister for the Army, Minister of State for Defence, and Minister for Education and Science.
After leaving government, he played an eminent role in international relations. In 1985, he chaired the United Nations hearings in New York on the Role of Multinationals in South Africa and Namibia. From October 1985 to August 1986, he was Co-Chairman of the Commonwealth Committee of Eminent Persons, formed to encourage a process of dialogue and reform in South Africa. In 1989, he was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Committee on African Commodity Problems.
Mr Fraser presided over CARE International as Chairman from 1990 to 1995 while serving as President of CARE Australia from 1987 to 2001. He was a Board Member of the International Crisis Group from 1996-2000 and remained a Senior Advisor to the ICG.
Mr Fraser was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia and received the President's Gold Medal for Humanitarian Service from B'nai B'rith International as well as the Australian Human Rights Medal from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Read an interview with Mr Fraser from CEDA’s Celebrating 50 years publication.
