David Barnett, who died in Canberra last month, was a lifelong journalist best known for his work as media adviser to Malcolm Fraser, initially when Fraser was Leader of the Opposition and subsequently for most of his prime ministership. Barnett’s interest in current affairs and contemporary events never dimmed. In his late eighties he was still a Quadrant contributor, and he enlivened his local newspaper, the Yass Tribune, expressing his clearly stated political opinions in a regular Wednesday column. A profile on the Tribune’s star columnist written ten years ago when he was eighty aptly described him thus: “He can…