Malcolm Fraser

Fraser was appointed caretaker prime minister by Governor-General Sir John Kerr after the dismissal of Gough Whitlam. He led the Liberal-National coalition to a landslide victory in the subsequent election, winning 91 of 127 seats.

Fraser's government took a strong stance against apartheid, supporting economic sanctions against South Africa and opposing sporting contacts. He played a key role in the Commonwealth's Gleneagles Agreement, which discouraged sporting ties with South Africa.

Fraser's government formally adopted a policy of multiculturalism, establishing the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs and funding ethnic community organizations. This marked a shift from the previous assimilationist approach to immigration.

Fraser's government significantly increased the intake of Vietnamese boat people, resettling over 70,000 refugees. This humanitarian response set a precedent for Australia's refugee program and diversified the nation's cultural makeup.

Fraser called a snap election in March 1983, but was defeated by Bob Hawke's Labor Party. The election ended Fraser's seven-year tenure as prime minister and marked the beginning of a long period of Labor government.