Malcolm Fraser quotes

Malcolm Fraser was an Australian politician who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. A prominent member of the Liberal Party, he led the country from 1975 to 1983 during a period of significant political change. He played a crucial role in shaping Australia’s foreign and domestic policies in the late 20th century. Here are 18 of his quotes:

Reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change. It requires symbolic as well as practical action.

Malcolm Fraser

Solutions will not be found while Indigenous people are treated as victims for whom someone else must find solutions.

Malcolm Fraser

We are seeing healing among the stolen generations, and initiatives which are enabling Indigenous people to make their distinctive contribution to our national life.

Malcolm Fraser

People die because they find living too painful.

Malcolm Fraser

Sorry Day falls on the eve of Reconciliation Week, giving us the chance to ask whether we are making progress in the wider challenge of reconciling Indigenous and other Australians.

Malcolm Fraser

The prime minister, because of his unreasoned drive to get his own way, his obstinacy, impetuous and emotional reactions, has imposed strains upon the Liberal Party, the government and the public service. I do not believe he is fit to hold the great office of prime minister, and I cannot serve in his government.

Malcolm Fraser

There are no quick fixes to Indigenous poverty and social disaster.

Malcolm Fraser

We are lagging far behind comparable countries in overcoming the disadvantages Indigenous people face.

Malcolm Fraser

Over 120 Aboriginal communities run their own health services - some have been doing so for 30 years. They struggle with difficult medical problems. They also try to deal with counselling, stolen generations issues, family relationships, violence, suicide prevention.

Malcolm Fraser

Health economists have estimated that an injection of $250 million per year in Indigenous clinical care, and $50 million in preventative care, is required to provide services at the same level as for any other group with the health conditions of Indigenous Australians.

Malcolm Fraser

Last year the National Sorry Day Committee consulted with stolen generations people in every State and Territory, and concluded that programmes set up in response to the Bringing Them Home Report are reaching only a small fraction of those they are intended to help.

Malcolm Fraser

Three years ago the Government announced the creation of Reconciliation Place, and said that it would include a memorial to those removed from their families. However, they refused to include any of those who were removed in the design of their own memorial.

Malcolm Fraser

In the last twelve years, we have come some distance towards reconciliation and the breaking down of disadvantage. Let us take encouragement from what has been achieved and set our minds and hearts to end the remaining roadblocks.

Malcolm Fraser

Maoris now own over half the commercial fishing industry in New Zealand.

Malcolm Fraser

We used to have a view that to really be a good Australian, to love Australia, you almost had to cut your links with the country of origin. But I don't think that was right and it never was right.

Malcolm Fraser

"We used to have a view that to really be a good Australian, to love Australia, you almost had to cut your links with the country of origin. But I don't think that was right and it never was right." Malcolm Fraser, at the opening of the Special Broadcasting Service in Oct. 1980.

Malcolm Fraser