Brendan Nelson: Difference between revisions
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Dr '''Brendan John Nelson''' (born [[19 August]] [[1958]]) is an [[Australia]]n politician and the [[Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Parliament of Australia]], as leader of the [[Liberal Party of Australia]].<ref name="SMH_Nelson_wins">{{cite news |title=Nelson wins Liberal leadership |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nelson-wins-liberal-leadership/2007/11/29/1196037040072.html |publisher=''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' |date=29 November 2007|accessdate=2007-11-29 }}</ref> Nelson has been a member of the [[Australian House of Representatives]] since March [[1996]], representing the [[Division of Bradfield]], [[New South Wales]]. |
Dr '''Brendan John Nelson''' (born [[19 August]] [[1958]]) is an [[Australia]]n politician and the [[Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Parliament of Australia]], as leader of the [[Liberal Party of Australia]].<ref name="SMH_Nelson_wins">{{cite news |title=Nelson wins Liberal leadership |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nelson-wins-liberal-leadership/2007/11/29/1196037040072.html |publisher=''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' |date=29 November 2007|accessdate=2007-11-29 }}</ref> Nelson has been a member of the [[Australian House of Representatives]] since March [[1996]], representing the [[Division of Bradfield]], [[New South Wales]]. He once said that he had "never voted liberal in (his) life" when he was clearly no spring chicken[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r93YidU0i4M]. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Revision as of 05:39, 2 December 2007
Dr Brendan Nelson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30th Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 29 November 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Rudd |
| 12th Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia | |
| Assumed office 29 November 2007 | |
| Deputy | Julie Bishop |
| Preceded by | John Howard |
| 50th Minister for Defence | |
| In office 1 January, 2006 – 3 December, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Hill |
| Succeeded by | Joel Fitzgibbon |
| 20th Minister for Education, Science and Training | |
| In office 2001–2006 | |
| Preceded by | David Kemp |
| Succeeded by | Julie Bishop |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Bradfield | |
| Assumed office 2 March 1996 | |
| Preceded by | David Connolly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 August 1958 Melbourne, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Spouse | Gillian[1] |
| Alma mater | Flinders University |
| Profession | GP |
Dr Brendan John Nelson (born 19 August 1958) is an Australian politician and the Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.[2] Nelson has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Bradfield, New South Wales. He once said that he had "never voted liberal in (his) life" when he was clearly no spring chicken[1].
Early life
He was born in Melbourne, Victoria and was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide before attending Flinders University, Adelaide where he graduated in medicine. He was a general practitioner in Hobart, Tasmania 1985-95, Director of Hobart and Launceston After Hours Medical Services 1987-91, Tasmanian State President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) 1990-92, Federal Vice-President 1991-93 and Federal President 1993-95.
Political career
When he was elected as the Federal President of the AMA it was widely known that he had joined the Australian Labor Party in 1988 and was ambitious to enter politics. His partner in his medical practice was Dr David Crean, brother of Simon Crean and later a Tasmanian state Labor minister. By 1994, however, Nelson was a member of the Liberal Party and in 1995 he gained Liberal endorsement for Bradfield, one of the safest Liberal electorates in Australia. It is believed that he told the Labor Party he wanted to be endorsed for Denison, the strongest Labor seat in Tasmania (held by Duncan Kerr), and that when he was rejected he defected to the Liberal party.
Nelson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in 2001. After the 2001 federal election he was promoted directly to Cabinet with the senior portfolio of Minister for Education, Science and Training. In this portfolio he introduced a series of radical changes to Australia's higher education system, simultaneously imposing more direct government control over the management of universities while also allowing them to earn more revenue by charging higher fees to students. He also extended the Howard government's policy of directing more federal funding to non-government schools, as well as becoming more involved in criticising and reviewing the state education systems. In 2005 he introduced Voluntary Student Unionism.
He was a popular target for student activism against the changes that he introduced to Australian higher education and universities.[3][4]
In 2005 Nelson expressed support for the teaching the controversial theory of intelligent design alongside evolution if parents wished it.[5] He later said it should only be taught in religion or philosophy classes.[6]
After his rapid promotion to Cabinet, Nelson was spoken of as a possible future Liberal leader. On 24 January 2006, Prime Minister John Howard announced Nelson's promotion from the Education, Science and Training portfolio to the high profile Defence portfolio.
As Defence Minister, he made the controversial decision to purchase Boeing's Super Hornet aircraft instead of a more capable fighter.[7]
Prior to his election as leader of the opposition, John Stone, former Australian Treasury secretary, said of him: "He reminds me of Andrew Peacock without the substance." [8]
Leader of the Opposition
Following the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was elected party leader and therefore Leader of the Opposition, narrowly defeating Malcolm Turnbull in a 45 to 42 vote[2], after the withdrawal from the race of Tony Abbott.
On 1 December 2007, Nelson attempted to distance himself from the conservative policies of his predecessor, John Howard, by announcing the need to address "the social and economic injustices affecting homosexuals." He further added, however, "I don't support gay marriage, adoption or IVF." [9]
Personal life
- In 1995, his brother, Philip, died after a long battle with AIDS.[1]
- He has been married three times.
References
- ^ a b The evolution of Brendan Nelson, The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 December 2005
- ^ a b "Nelson wins Liberal leadership". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Nelson too chicken to face us, say students Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 28 September 2005
- ^ 'Safety fear' stops Nelson talking at uni again, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 September 2005
- ^ 'Intelligent design' an option: Nelson, The Age, 11 August 2005
- ^ Intelligent design not science: experts, The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 2005
- ^ 'Flying Blind', Four Corners, 29 October 2007
- ^ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/look-left-look-right-look-/2007/11/30/1196394619997.html, 1 December 2007
- ^ 'Nelson backs gay legal rights', Sunday Herald Sun, 2 December 2007
External links
Template:AustraliaFederalLiberalLeader Template:AustraliaCurrentMPsNSW