I remember his announcement: “...from this day on, there will be no more probate”. 

Perhaps a lot of people today do not know what probate was. My late husband and I could tell you that it was a severe inheritance tax on property/business. 

As far as I know when a property/business owner died, the government of the time extracted a huge amount of money for their coffers.

Such was the case with our family business R.D. Hutchinson of Armstrong Street, Ballarat.

Although it was too late for our family business, which had to pay the probate and try and continue to trade, we felt such relief for other family operations of the time, that they would not be subjected to such great financial obligation at the difficult time when older family members are lost. 

I remember the heartache of my 83-year-old mother-in-law in losing her home of more than 65 years, my husband having to close the business and start over in a new direction and the loss of jobs for long-time employees who had aged with the business and struggled to find further employment.

Thank you, Mr Malcolm Fraser. I have read and heard of many accolades for you in recent days and I would like to add my small voice to those. 

My condolences to his wife Tamie.

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