SYDNEY: Former conservative prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who came to power in 1975 after Australia's greatest constitutional crisis, died on Friday after a short illness at the age of 84.
His death came just five months after the demise of Gough Whitlam, the man Fraser replaced after the Labor figure became Australia's only prime minister to be sacked.
"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," a statement said.
He leaves wife Tamie and four children.
Fraser, from Australia's conservative Liberal Party, began his term as the country's 22nd prime minister after the representative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Sir John Kerr, dismissed Whitlam's government in November 1975 in a constitutional crisis.
He was appointed caretaker and despite persistent questions about the legitimacy of how he came to office, the man seen as a ruthless politician went on to win three elections, serving until 1983 and pursuing goals of reducing spending and responsible fiscal management.
He was also a strong supporter of human rights who oversaw an upsurge in immigration from Asia and a conservationist who banned whaling in Australia, while helping shape diplomatic and trade relations with East and Southeast Asia before being succeeded by Labor's Bob Hawke.
"The constitutional crisis of 1975 was one of the defining political events of our nation," said Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
"Malcolm Fraser held true to the belief that his actions were in the best interests of Australia. He was determined to 'turn on the lights' and restore Australia's economic fortunes.
"The greatest win in Australian political history confirms that he had correctly read the mood of the public.
"He was rightly proud of his government."
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