FORMER Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser has thrown his support behind a Greens senator, urging voters to return Sarah Hanson-Young at the coming election. Mr Fraser says his decision to back the South Australian senator stemmed from his fears that the opposition could take control of both houses of parliament and continued concern over the "wretched" state of debate in Canberra on asylum seeker and refugee issues. He appeared with Senator Hanson-Young at a public forum in Adelaide on Saturday, an event opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said was evident his "transformation is complete." But Mr Fraser said his support for the Greens lead candidate in SA was for the "person, not the party," describing Ms Hanson-Young as a resolute and fair-minded voice on asylum seeker policy. "There's been a race to the bottom of the barrel on refugee and asylum seeker issues," Mr Fraser said in relation to the policies and comments of both the Labor and Liberal parties. They seem to believe that who can get toughest will win most votes. Mr Fraser said the opposition's policy to turn back the boats would not work, and while recent talks between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indonesian authorities had made progress, the asylum seeker issue was a worldwide problem that required a global solution. Labor and Liberal talk as though Australia is the only target. It's not," he said. We are a tiny part of a world problem. Now 83 and estranged from the party he once led, Mr Fraser said he was aware his decision to support Senator Hanson-Young had pleased some, but annoyed others. But he said everyone who had come to Australia as a migrant or refugee should take an interest in the issue and resist the temptation to "stay under the radar." "Staying under the radar on this issue is not good enough for anyone," he said. It's an issue for everyone. Mr Morrison said Mr Fraser had been a great prime minister and had the right to change his mind on such things as offshore processing. People change their minds on things over time, it would seem ... He will always remain one of Australia's Liberal prime ministers ... and I think we should always treat our leaders with respect. Mr Morrison denied Mr Fraser's stand would damage the Liberal brand. "I think it demonstrates that the transformation of Mr Fraser is complete," he said.