Former Australian Prime Ministers (L-R) Malcolm Fraser, Julia Gillard, Bob Hawke, current Prime Minister Tony Abbott, John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating assemble for a photograph at the completion of a memorial service for former Prime Minister Goug
Former Australian Prime Ministers (L-R) Malcolm Fraser, Julia Gillard, Bob Hawke, current Prime Minister Tony Abbott, John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating assemble for a photograph at the completion of a memorial service for former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at Sydney's Town Hall, November 5, 2014. Whitlam, who died on October 21 aged 98, was one of his country's most revolutionary yet divisive statesmen, forging ties with China but triggering a constitutional crisis that split the country. Reuters/Dan Himbrechts

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser has died. The 84-year-old veteran’s end came on Friday, after a brief illness. He was Australia's 22nd prime minister.

According to a statement issued by his office, “It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015.”

Fraser took over as prime minister in a difficult period. He was leader of the Liberal Party from 1975 to 1983. His statemanship as the premier of Australia was evident, while steering the country from the grip of challenging circumstances. Fraser was sworn in as caretaker prime minister in 1975 after the Whitlam government was dismissed after a constitutional crisis amidst a budget deadlock in the Senate. Fraser led the Liberals to victory in the 1975 election and was succeeded by Labor's Bob Hawke in 1983.

However, a section of the political class is still critical of Fraser for his role in the 1975 "coup" against the then PM Gough Whitlam, who died in October 2014. Fraser later got disenchanted with Liberal Party policies and became its outspoken critic. He left the party in 2010, because of differences with the leadership on many issues including immigration.

Condolence

In a condolence message, former prime minister Julia Gillard paid glowing tributes to Fraser. “Malcolm Fraser in and beyond politics was a leader in the fight for racial equality. His brave stance against the evil of South Africa's apartheid helped changed the world for the better. Malcolm will always be remembered kindly for his commitment to multiculturalism and his specific actions to resettle Vietnamese boat people in Australia,” Gillard said.

Last Tweet

In recent times, Fraser was a prolific user of Twitter. His last tweet on 18th March was a comment about Australian National University website's story: “Time for a new China vision -- Asia and the Pacific -- ANU”. Education Minister Christopher Pyne recalled that Fraser’s life was dedicated to the service of the country. "We will be poorer without him. Thoughts are with his family," Pyne noted. Labor senator Doug Cameron expressed shock at Fraser's demise and recalled his recent dinner with the former prime minister and his wife Tamie. He said Australia has lost a great voice for human rights.

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