1930- . Australian Liberal politician, prime
minister 1975-83; nicknamed `the Prefect'
because of a supposed disregard of
subordinates. Educated at Oxford University,
Fraser became a millionaire sheep farmer. In
Mar 1975 he replaced Snedden as Liberal Party
leader. In Nov, following the Whitlam
government's economic difficulties, he
blocked finance bills in the Senate, became
prime minister of a caretaker government and
in the consequent general election won a
large majority. He lost to Hawke in the 1983
election.