FORMER prime minister Malcolm Fraser said a new political party should be formed, in a speech to Mt Clear College students about politics and humanitarianism on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Year 10 student leader Scott Walker contacted Mr Fraser via email about current asylum seeker policies, and to his surprised received a response inviting him to meet in Melbourne, Mr Walker said.
“I went out on a limb and invited him to come here so other students could hear from him as well.”
Scott said he admired Mr Fraser, particularly for his work around humanitarianism.
Mr Fraser criticised the government’s asylum seeker and refugee policies and encouraged students to take a stand against it.
He said there needed to be reforms of the major political parties, or a new party formed, led by young people with reasonable and broad policies.
“We’re an island, and our government is acting like we’re an island that is separate from the world. But we’re in the world and part of the world,” Mr Fraser said.
“What is being done by parliament doesn’t represent the innate decency in present day Australians.
“Victoria is the most liberal state in the commonwealth, so the new party should start here.”
He said the current practices were wrong, and that there was little opposition from the opposition.