The Sydney Morning Herald
Letters: Fraser should have practised what he now preaches
Date: 26/08/2000
I listened to Malcolm Fraser with considerable disgust, bitterness and
anger. While prime minister of Australia his record in Aboriginal
affairs can only be described as deliberately cruel and abysmal.
Some years ago, after touring Africa, he returned to Australia and
listed several shocking and intolerable scenes that he had witnessed.
But there was something very wrong. I had witnessed scenes similar to
the ones he described while I was working amongst Aboriginal
communities in Australia during his time as prime minister.
The whole state of the "sorry business" has reached an illogical stage.
The major issue that needs to be considered is the fact that
improvement in Aboriginal health can only be achieved when Aborigines
live right and eat right. Everything else should be considered as
factors of "secondary" importance. This does not mean, of course, that
the past can be forgotten. It is time that Malcolm Fraser hung up
his hat and put on his trousers.
Dr Archie Kalokerinos, Tamworth, August 25.
I was one of those who, circa 1975, thought Malcolm Fraser to be the
execrable embodiment of political opportunism. I would never
have contemplated ever according any degree of respect towards him
because of the events of that time. I have had my opinion changed
by the stature that Malcolm Fraser has earned through his principled
advocation of issues that this nation has yet to resolve, primarily
because of a lack of genuine leadership from our contemporary political
elites.
It seems Australia has been sadly lacking in visionaries, since 1996 at
least, and that we are therefore condemned to contemplate a future
conditioned by what might have been. Now if only it were possible to
revisit the past! Malcolm Fraser would be the prime minister his
country desperately wants and needs at this time.
John F. Jackson, Toongabbbie
I can only conclude from Malcolm Fraser's Darwin speech that he has not
given up all hope of becoming UN Secretary-General. Such
admirable sentiments! But to borrow from Mark Twain, Aboriginal affairs
are like the weather: "Everyone talks about it but no-one ever
does anything." Except of course, that in Aboriginal affairs, successive
governments have attempted to do a great deal and have spent a
mountain of taxpayers' money in the process.
Armchair critics are legion but the workers in the field are few. If
Malcolm Fraser really wants us to sit up and listen to him then he
should use his largely pastoral-derived wealth to convert his noble
sentiments into noble action and show us tangible results. Does the "no
free lunch" concept have a part to play in this exercise? Or mutual
obligation perhaps?
Chris Lacey, Alstonville
Other than the odd stint as "Kerr's Cur" and the pants-o-mime at the
Admiral Benbow, can anyone recall anything Memphis Mal actually
did, as opposed to said? Perhaps his move to "Red" Hill signals more
than a change of address.
R.G. Slatter, Chippendale .
When watching TV interviewers questioning famous people I often try to
put words into the mouths of the interviewers with no success
at all.
For instance, a few minutes ago Kerry O'Brien had Malcolm Fraser on his
program and Mr Fraser spent much time rattling on about his
disappointment with the performance of Mr Howard regarding the
Aborigines and the "stolen generation".
According to Mr Fraser, Mr Howard should apologise etc. The question
Kerry O'Brien should have asked is why didn't Mr Fraser do all
these things when he was prime minister if, as he claims, it is
important for the apologies to come from the holder of that office?
His time at the head of Federal government was much closer to the
alleged offences and his proposed remedies would have then been
more effective surely. Is this an attempt to clear his yardarm and shift
any perceived opprobrium of future historians?
Abusing one's successor for not doing what oneself did not do tends to
highlight one's failings and, though I've heard that confession is
good for the soul, it is not good public relations. If you have feet of
clay, keep your shoes on.
E.E.Cook, Ainslie (ACT)
Amid the growing din of pre-Olympic hype, thank you, Malcolm Fraser, for
renewing some sense of hope to this nation.
Brent Hoare, Katoomba
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