Online Resources

Access speeches, legislation, and other online resources related to Malcolm Fraser.

Malcolm Fraser Oration at the University of Melbourne

In 2017 the University of Melbourne hosted the inaugural Malcolm Fraser Oration. The oration was established in memory of Mr Fraser and his vision for Australia, particularly in relation to human rights. The first lecture was given by Mr Julian Burnside AO QC, a prominent human rights and refugee advocate. The 2019 lecture was given by The Rt Hon Christopher Patten has had a long and distinguished career in public and political life, and was the last Governor of Hong Kong, overseeing the handover to China in 1997. He served as one of the United Kingdom’s representatives on the European Commission and was elected as Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 2003.

2022 Malcolm Fraser Oration with Dr Geoff Raby
2019 Malcolm Fraser Oration with Lord Patten of Barnes
2017 Malcolm Fraser Oration with Julian Burnside

Digitised resources from the collection

The University of Melbourne Archives has digitised and made available online some of the important, unique and interesting material from the Malcolm Fraser Collection. This material includes:

Extra- and post-parliamentary speeches

Access the content of every major speech given by Malcolm Fraser outside of Parliament, from 1971 to 2014. The breadth and depth of subject matter confirm Fraser's reputation as an internationally engaged, respected and knowledgeable commentator. Topics include relations with China and Australian foreign policy, the rights of asylum seekers, the role of the ideology of liberalism, the role of the Commonwealth, human rights, nuclear weapons and more. This also includes the 1971 Deakin lecture in which Fraser uttered the line for which he will be remembered, "There is within me some part of the metaphysic, and thus I would add that life is not meant to be easy."

Other speeches

Important Parliamentary Speeches

Preselection Speech

Opposition to Aparthied in South Africa, 25 March 1982

Ministerial Statement on the Arts, 3 June 1976

Ministerial Statement on Whales and Whaling, 4 April 1979

Ministerial Statement on Defence, 10 March 1970

South Africa's Membership of the Commonwealth, 12 April 1961

First Parliamentary Speech on International Affairs, 15 March 1956

Maiden Speech to Parliament, 22 February 1956

Major legislation

The following documents are major legislation passed by the Fraser government.

Social Services Amendment Act 1976

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976

Ombudsman Act 1976

Constitution Alteration (Senate Casual Vacancies) Act 1977

Federal Court of Australia Act 1976

Crimes (Taxation Offences) Act 1980

Taxation (Unpaid Company Tax) Assessment Act 1982

Aboriginal Development Commission Act 1980

Human Rights Commission Act 1981

Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978

Freedom of Information Act 1982

The Australian Prime Ministers Centre

The Australian Prime Ministers Centre (APMC) is a cross-disciplinary national centre for research and engagement around Australia’s prime ministers.