( CNN ) Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has died . He was 84 . `` It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of this morning , '' according to a Fraser family statement sent to Australian media . The office of current Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed Fraser 's death to CNN . Fraser was Australia 's 22nd prime minister , from 1975-1983 . He began his mandate as a caretaker prime minister amid a constitutional crisis . Fraser will be remembered for his significant influence in changing relations of countries within the British Commonwealth , according to the National Archives of Australia . He is also credited with shaping Australian ties with East and Southeast Asian countries , according to the National Archives . People we 've lost in 2015 .
Fraser was Australia 's 22nd prime minister , from 1975-1983 . Fraser is credited with shaping Southeast Asian ties with East and Australian countries .