Malcolm Fraser

Beyond appearances, Peacock had the endearing quality of generating a natural warmth, charm and wit.

A trail of alluvial diamonds, an ancient volcano trek, an entrepreneurial magnate. Then a whole lot of manoeuvring between Australian diamond searchers, politicians, and lobbyists that resulted in the Argyll Diamond Mine.

The correspondence contained the letter of dismissal issued to Whitlam, a legal opinion from high court chief justice Garfield Barwick, and a letter addressed to Kerr from the opposition leader, Malcolm Fraser.

Something strange happens when politicians leave the political stage. The other side suddenly becomes much more civil – even affectionate. There is an outbreak of bipartisanship or non-partisanship. It is as though, after years of fighting across the chamber, the political opponents shove babel fish into their ears and hear each other for the first time.

Nicholas Gruen reviews a book review by Clive James and ponders the decline of serious debate. He says James joined the culture wars and attacked weaker, dumbed-down versions of opposing views, as expressed by ideological fringe-dwellers.

Gough Whitlam created them. Malcolm Fraser cemented them. And the move to new Parliament House multiplied them — exponentially ever since. Charting the rise and rise of the ministerial minder.

Australia’s 22nd prime minister passed away earlier today, age 84, leaving behind a legacy of significant APS reforms of accountability and responsiveness. It was a “rewarding time” officials tell The Mandarin, and Malcolm Fraser describes his work with the bureaucracy in his own words.