The former PM was an enthusiastic user of social media, sending more than 10,000 tweets after joining Twitter in August 2012. Here are a few of his best

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

He was by no means a digital native, but Malcolm Fraser was a prolific and enthusiastic user of Twitter. He sent more than 10,000 tweets to a following that grew to more than 44,000 after joining the site in August 2012, when he was 82.

Like many on the site, the late former prime minister used Twitter to voice frustration, support strongly-held opinions and sometimes express profound thoughts. Here is a selection of his best from the past two years.

Fraser’s tweets reflected his enduring interest in global affairs.

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) The Shape of Japan to Come - http://t.co/pTOoUXg9QS. To avoid war for children & grandchildren change this. http://t.co/7pk1G83wUu

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Rise of the right after France attacks.when will the extreme right again be called what it is, FASCISM? http://t.co/kyNE4GDoBN

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) 2014 Was Hottest Year on Record, Surpassing 2010, via @nytimes. And still the deniers deny!!! http://t.co/3pkOPkg4G7

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) 15 ways things will get worse in 2015 via @washingtonpost, Laugh or cry! http://t.co/uQOBq22mjk

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Arms for Ukraine? Towards war!!

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Killing by another means. Will justice ever prevail

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Roald Dahl's heartbreaking letter on daughter's death is a vaccination call to arms http://t.co/3i99eHzRNc. Vaccinate for children's sake

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Can Torture Ever Be Moral?, via @nytimes. No, we have reverted to past on torture, ban must be absolute http://t.co/ef6JZU7Z01

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Why the campaign against Islamic State is doomed http://t.co/I6IXSs0Src, US has no strategy, no plan for future

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Are the US and Iran on the same side in Iraq? Probably

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Why Bush won't be prosecuted over CIA torture. Guilty go free!!! http://t.co/4os3nVHWUy

Closer to home, he commented widely on social and political issues and frequently criticised the Abbott government.

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) I support #WISH pic.twitter.com/PxHiDuA2vT

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Are you angry about what the Abbott government is doing to Australia? Then join the Labor party Today's Labor is similar in too many ways

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Follow your convictions – this could be the end of the politics of fear | George Monbiot http. No, not till we get new people

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Social Services scraps funding for homeless and housing groups http://t.co/NQE3KiZQtm Asylum seekers, now homeless Australians

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Revealed - 12 more Aussies face death penalty http://t.co/NQE3KiZQtm Should do much more to warn Aussies how little can be done to save then

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Leyonhuelm, Day, Xenophon, Wang, Lazarus, Muir supported Bill No Minister should have such power over any person, no law, power of dictators

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Qantas passenger banned after asylum seeker walkout http://t.co/AP7UcPBrXe. Heavy handed Qantas, was it under Gov instruction, where is ALP

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Why #illridewithyou is an ill ride. Bad article, bad judgement, movement good, don't belittle http://t.co/rbUbuLs9nM

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Tony Abbott hits out at US over Iraq post-war 'chaos' http://t.co/NQE3KiZQtm. But Australia then blindly did what US wanted, as AUST is now

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Joe Hockey's comments on living to 150 a Sarah Palin moment, says Bill Shorten http://t.co/NQE3KiZQtm. It won't hapoen in Hockey's Australia

But it wasn’t all doom, gloom and current affairs. Fraser also used Twitter to share slices of his life after politics: sport, fishing and a tentative endorsement of haggis.

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) In Scotland, Guts, Glory and Haggis, via @nytimes. Can be good. http://t.co/FZKEX5szsh

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Hewitt playing so well right now, a winners form. Congratulations to Hewitt

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) Sri Lanka put up a great fight , played brilliant cricket . Congratulations .

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) 4 fishing bag, not this year tough pic.twitter.com/ZlmuwnUDsG

Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) New Zealand pic.twitter.com/q0JGH70WQr