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George Christensen

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This article is about the Australian politician. For the American football player and businessman, see George Christensen (American football).

George Christensen
MP
Christensen in 2017
Chief Whip of the National Party
In office
30 August 2016 – 28 February 2017
DeputyMichelle Landry
Preceded byMark Coulton
Succeeded byDamian Drum
Deputy Whip of the National Party
In office
17 October 2013 – 30 August 2016
Chief WhipMark Coulton
Preceded byPaul Neville
Succeeded byMichelle Landry
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Dawson
Incumbent
Assumed office
21 August 2010
Preceded byJames Bidgood
Personal details
Born
George Robert Christensen

(1978-06-30) 30 June 1978 (age 46)
Mackay, Queensland, Australia
Political partyNational (federal)
Liberal National (state)
Other political
affiliations		Coalition
Residence(s)Mackay, Queensland, Australia
EducationMackay State High School
Alma materCentral Queensland University (B.Comm. in Journalism)
OccupationNewspaper publishing
company executive
(Walkerston & Valley)
ProfessionJournalist
Politician
Websitegeorgechristensen.com.au

George Robert Christensen (born 30 June 1978) is an Australian politician who has been a member of the House of Representatives since the 2010 federal election, representing the Division of Dawson. He is a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, and sits with the National Party in federal parliament.[1] He is known for his social conservatism and for his criticism of Islam.

Early years and background

Christensen was born in Mackay to third-generation cane farmers who emigrated from Denmark in 1901. He is the eldest son to two disability pensioners. He joined the Young Nationals at the age of 15 and was state president of the Queensland Young Nationals from 2003 to 2004.[2][3] Christensen was schooled in Andergrove, Walkerston and at Mackay State High before completing an undergraduate communications degree in journalism at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton in 2000.[4] As a university student, Christensen was editor of The Student Advocate, a conservative university newsletter, and spent six months work experience at a community newspaper, The Pioneer News.[5][6]

When he was 21 years old, Christensen briefly attended a seminary in Melbourne with the intention to become a Catholic priest. However, when his father "pointedly objected," Christensen chose not to pursue it. Later, in 2014, he converted to worship in the Antiochian Orthodox Church.[4][7]

From 2001–2004, Christensen worked as an electorate officer and press secretary for federal Nationals MP De-Anne Kelly.[2][5]

In 2005, Christensen founded a publishing business with Nicole Ratliff, his girlfriend of the time, to produce two community newspapers Walkerston & Valley Advertiser and Northern Beaches Advertiser.[8][5] The business folded in 2013.[9]

Political career

Local council

In 2004, Christensen was elected to Mackay City Council as a councillor,[5] and in 2008 gained a seat on the amalgamated Mackay Regional Council. He was a director of the Mackay Regional Housing Company and Vice-President of Mackay Regional Council for Social Development. He was the foundation chair of Walkerston Community Kindergarten Association and former chair of HACC Transport Mackay Inc. [citation required]

Parliament

Christensen ran as the LNP candidate for the seat of Dawson at the 2010 federal election. On 5 February 2010 the sitting member for Dawson, James Bidgood, announced that he would retire for health reasons after only one term.[10] Christensen won the seat with a 5.02-point swing on a two-party-preferred vote with a margin of 2.43 points.[1][11]

Christensen gained national media attention during the election campaign for articles published by Christensen in the 1990s in The Student Advocate, a conservative university newsletter.[12] The newsletter articles contained slurs against Jews, gays and women. Although Christensen claimed that the articles had been taken out of context, he said he was sorry for publishing the comments.[13][14][15]

Member for Dawson

After the election, it was revealed that Christensen failed to resign from his position on the Mackay Regional Council before the election, putting himself at risk of High Court action which would not allow him to take office as the member for Dawson.[16][17] Previously, independent Phil Cleary and Liberal Jackie Kelly had been faced with a by-election after failing to resign from public service positions before winning their respective seats. Despite this, several constitutional law experts said it was unlikely any legal challenge against Christensen would be successful because the constitution ban on "officers of profit under the crown" being elected to federal parliament would most likely not apply to local government councillors.[18]

In July 2011, Christensen joined other Liberal National Party MPs in driving the entire Bruce Highway as part of a campaign to highlight problem areas on the road and to secure more funding for the Bruce Highway from the Commonwealth.[19] During the road trip, one of the vehicles in the convoy of MPs hit what Christensen described as a "crater of a pothole" resulting in a tyre blowout.[20]

In June 2011 Christensen drew criticism from fellow MPs for his manner of attack on Labor's shutdown of the live cattle trade to Indonesia. Christensen implied that Indonesia's religion (the dominant Islamic culture) is to blame for the torture of common cattle and that Australian farmers should not receive criticism for Indonesian mistreatment of live cattle exported to the nation.[21]

In September 2012 he accused the National Health and Medical Research Council of demonising the sugar industry due to their recommendation to minimise sugar intake.[22]

Christensen launched a campaign in October 2012 to persuade the producers of science fiction television series Doctor Who to film the program in Australia in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its first screening on Australian television on 12 January 2015. Two Doctor Who stars have publicly supported Christensen's campaign.[23]

2013–2016: Second term

In the 2013 Federal Election, Christensen won a second term in office by defeating Labor candidate Bronwyn Taha, adding a further 5.15% to give him a margin of 7.6%.

In March 2013, Christensen told media that he wanted to see the death penalty introduced for serious crimes including murder involving sexual assault.[24] In May 2011, Christensen refused to back a motion condemning the death penalty and instead told federal parliament he supported the death penalty "for terrorists and for those found guilty of the most heinous of crimes – murder of a child, particularly those involving rape, murder of an elderly person or a person with disabilities, again particularly those involving rape."[25]

In May 2014, Christensen stated on Twitter that those criticising the 2014 federal budget should "do a tour of Asia & live like these locals", featuring a photo of an impoverished backstreet in a non-specified country.[26]

In July 2015, Christensen suggested on his website that Australia should consider corporal punishment for drug traffickers, writing that "It's time to do things differently, and I suggest we take a look at how they address the problem in Singapore. Their use of corporal punishment seems to be a highly effective deterrent."[27][28] In November 2015, Christensen again called for the bringing back of the death penalty.[29]

On 25 February 2016, Christensen renewed calls for the suspension of the Safe Schools Program, an anti-bullying program, with a speech saying elements of the program sounded "a lot like the grooming work that a sexual predator might undertake."[30] On 16 March, after receiving a briefing on a review of the Safe Schools program, Christensen and other conservative MPs declared the review a "stitch-up" with a narrow scope.[31] In a speech later that day, Christensen called for a parliamentary inquiry into the program, linking an alleged "paedophilia advocate" with the foundation of the Safe Schools program.[32]

2016–2019: Third term

Christensen was returned for a third term at the 2016 federal election, with a reduced margin when there was a 4.51% swing against him towards the Labor Party candidate Frank Gilbert.[33]

Christensen publicly encouraged Americans to vote for Donald Trump in the 2016 US election. Days before the election, Christensen issued a plea on Facebook for Americans to "do the rest of the free world a favour" and vote for Trump.[4]

In February 2017, Cory Bernardi and George Christensen attracted criticism for speaking at the Q Society of Australia. The event received protests who called the event "racist".[34] Christensen resigned as the Nationals' Chief Whip, effective from 1 March 2017, reasoning that being whip is untenable for 'the person that's supposed to be a standard bearer of discipline within the party to be out there talking against some of the Government policies as strenuously as I have been'.[35]

A poll conducted by ReachTel in February 2017 revealed that, given the opportunity, Dawson constituents were equally likely to vote for One Nation as they were for the LNP - taking 30% versus 30.4% of first preference votes.[36] One Nation has not run a candidate in the division of Dawson since Christensen won the seat, however, Christensen voiced his concern in 2016 that he would quite possibly lose his seat if One Nation placed a candidate against him. Christensen voted for One Nation in the 1998 Queensland election.[4]

Christensen repeatedly threatened to resign from the LNP, and in February 2017 wrote a "letter of demand" to the Prime Minister in relation to inaction by the Federal Government to resolve a sugar industry dispute affecting his electorate.[37] His father Ian Christensen wrote on social media "My Dad and George’s Grandad, Tony Christensen, farmed the land (and) grew sugarcane for many decades ... If (Prime Minister Malcolm) Turnbull and the others in Cabinet think this is (an) idle threat from George I suggest they have a quick rethink and come down on the Aussie farmers’ side.”[38] Christensen later apologised to Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce for his resignation threat.[39]

In 2017, Christensen's trip to Malaysia as a "medical tourist" for stomach reduction surgery led to criticism from the Australian Medical Association, "We have a world-class system here in Australia. Why would anyone, much less a federal MP, go overseas to have a procedure they can safely have here? Isn't it the government's job to support our own health system?"[40] While some doctors spoke of Christensen's bravery in speaking publicly about his struggle with weight, there was criticism about the Federal Government's failure to appreciate the "gravity of obesity as a public health problem and commit to meaningful policy and action." Christensen is a vocal supporter of the sugar industry and has rejected policies such as a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages aimed to reduce obesity. In noting a link between low-incomes and obesity, doctors stressed the importance of improving the public health system: "Unfortunately, a lot of our population are not in a position to seek measures like weight loss surgery because they simply can’t afford it and our public hospitals are not providing it in anywhere near the numbers required."[41]

Christensen was criticised for being in the Philippines for more days than he was in Parliament House for two years in a row, taking 28 trips there over four years.[42] The Australian Federal Police investigated Christensen's travel there and cash transfers, finding no evidence of wrongdoing, but advised then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that Christensen could be detained in Manila for questioning by Philippines police over his activities there.[43][44] Christensen has been criticised for using taxpayer funds for domestic flights which connect with his Manila flights for these visits, and referred himself to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) to prove that this was within the rules.[45] The IPEA found some of Christensen's travel claims were non-compliant, and Christensen repaid the money.[46]

On 26 February 2018, he ran a last-minute challenge for the leadership of the National Party against the ultimate winner, Michael McCormack.

2019: Federal election

At the 2019 federal election, held on Saturday 18 May 2019, Christensen was returned for a fourth term,[47] with his previous margin increased by 11.43%.[48][49]

In February 2020, Christensen traveled to the UK with fellow MP Andrew Wilkie to meet Australian Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, while calling for Assange to be released.[50][51]

Australian Federal Police investigations

On 18 February 2018, Christensen posted a Facebook photo of himself with a firearm, captioned “do you feel lucky, greenie punks?” (sic); it received widespread criticism and led to an investigation by the Australian Federal Police. He took the post down shortly after. Then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told 3AW during an interview that the post was “very inappropriate and he took it down after he was spoken to about it”.[52]

Later in the same year, he was again investigated by the Australian Federal Police, due to the discovery of large amounts of money being sent overseas by the MP. The federal police found no crime had been committed under Commonwealth law but did raise concerns over whether he compromised his position as MP.[53]

In 2019, he blocked the release of AFP travel inquiry documents after he was found to have traveled to the Philippines 28 times between 2014 to 2018, an action which would later see him be dubbed by his colleagues and media as "Member for Manila".[54]

In 2020, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released details of the investigation in his memoir accusing George Christensen of spending over 100 days a year overseas on full pay while staying in seedy hotels in Angeles City which is the red light district of Philippines. It was also revealed that both Australian & Philippines police was concerned that the MP would be a target for blackmail.[55]

Positions

Climate change

In July 2014, Christensen likened climate change to science fiction in a series of comments comparing contemporary statements about climate change to science fiction movie plotlines.[56] In September 2014, Christensen labeled Greenpeace and other environmentalists as terrorists, stating that they are "gutless green grubs" for opposing the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal in his electorate. In a speech to Parliament, Christensen said that "the greatest terrorism threat in North Queensland, I'm sad to say, comes from the extreme green movement".[57]

In an interview with SBS Broadcasting Group, Christensen said that there was a conspiracy between the United Nations and most of the world's scientists to "make money out of the world wide carbon trade".[58]

Christensen endorses the climate denial position taken by fellow conservative Member of Parliament, Craig Kelly.[59]

Islam

In February 2013, Christensen was the only federal MP to attend a rally featuring controversial Dutch politician and anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders during his tour of Australia. Christensen said he supported Wilders' view that "people of dual citizenship who act in a way that is contrary to the values of this country and engage in extremist violence should have their citizenship stripped and be deported."[60]

In the wake of the 2012 Sydney anti-Islam film protests in September, Christensen criticised those taking part in the demonstration, saying those who broke the law should "jump on the first plane and head back to where you come from because that stuff is just simply not on in this nation."[61] He also called for authorities to investigate the parents of a young boy who held up a sign which read "behead all those who insult the prophet" during the protests and said the child in question should be put in the care of "better people".[62]

In September 2014, Christensen called for a ban on the wearing of the burqa.[63][64] In November 2014, Christensen claimed in an online opinion piece that halal certification was "outrageous" and a "religious tax". He also claimed that it is "entirely feasible" to think some halal certifiers could be financing groups such as Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood.[65][66] In December 2014, Christensen drew criticism after making comments on Twitter labelling the "I'll Ride With You" online solidarity campaign following the Sydney Siege as a "typical lefty (campaign) that falsely portrays Aussies as thugs who endanger Muslims." In another tweet, Christensen went on to state: "As I suspected. The #illridewithyou campaign is proudly brought to us by another #hatingwhitey lefty activist".[67][68] The #illridewithyou hashtag was begun during the Sydney Siege, with thousands of people offering to accompany Muslim women on trains, buses, ferries and planes if they felt vulnerable travelling wearing hijabs and burqas.[69][70] It was inspired by claims about an incident on public transport at the time, which the originator of the claims later confessed on Facebook that she had "editorialised."[71]

On 19 July 2015, Christensen stated in a speech at a Reclaim Australia rally in Mackay that it was "foolishly naive to think that" Australia was not "at war with radical Islam".[72]

In February 2016, Christensen announced the launch of a new website, authorised by his office, to "fight the war on radical Islam." He called for writers and researchers to help him, without pay. As of July 2017 the website appears reads "Website coming soon" with a masthead depicting a sword, and crosshairs over a person holding a gun.[73][74]

On 20 September 2017, Christensen moved a motion to ban the burqa at the National Party's annual conference in Canberra. The motion was voted down 51 votes to 55, with Christensen saying he would continue to advocate for the policy.[75]

Personal life

In 2019 Christensen married Filipina April Asuncion, whom he met in the Philippines in 2017.[76][77]

A joint investigation between Nine News, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed that Christensen met Asuncion in the Pony Tails Bar - an adult entertainment venue in Angeles, Philippines - where she worked. The manager of the club stated Christensen was a regular and a "big spender". Christensen denies this and called the stories "defamatory".[77][78]

Between 2014 and 2018, Christensen made 28 separate trips to the Philippines, spending almost 10 months there in total. For this, fellow members dubbed him "the Member for Manila".[77]

In his memoirs, Malcolm Turnbull relates how Christensen narrowly escaped questioning by Philippines police over his lengthy stays in "seedy" hotels, and payments to various women.[43] Turnbull relates how the Australian Federal Police reported Christensen was spending "substantial sums in Manila bars and nightclubs as well as making many small payments to women there". Turnbull also writes that this was against diplomatic advice: "Against the advice of our embassy in the Philippines, he had been staying in seedy hotels in Angeles City, which was not only recklessly unsafe but made him vulnerable to being compromised." Christensen was also making similar trips to Thailand. When Turnbull tried to warn Christensen about his behaviour, Christensen threatened him via the dissolving message app, Signal, saying "'remember two words: parliamentary privilege; and two more years of it".[43] Turnbull states that Christensen's "hypocrisy" made him "sick" - as Christensen also claimed to be a devout Christian.[43]

Electoral performance

This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2010 Australian federal election in Queensland § Dawson.[edit]
2010 Australian federal election: Dawson[79]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal National George Christensen 37,940 45.74 +2.62
Labor Mike Brunker 33,216 40.04 -7.35
Greens Jonathon Dykyj 6,406 7.72 +3.29
Family First Damian Herrington 4,100 4.94 +2.09
Citizens Electoral Council Bill Ingrey 1,287 1.55 +1.07
Total formal votes 82,949 94.24 −1.94
Informal votes 5,070 5.76 +1.94
Turnout 88,019 93.09 −2.32
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal National George Christensen 43,494 52.43 +5.02
Labor Mike Brunker 39,455 47.57 -5.02
Liberal National gain from Labor Swing +5.02
This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2013 Australian federal election in Queensland § Dawson.[edit]
2013 Australian federal election: Dawson[80]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal National George Christensen 40,507 46.23 +0.49
Labor Bronwyn Taha 26,030 29.71 −10.33
Palmer United Ian Ferguson 8,777 10.02 +10.02
Katter's Australian Justin Englert 5,905 6.74 +6.74
Greens Jonathon Dykyj 4,396 5.02 −2.70
Family First Lindsay Temple 1,663 1.90 −3.04
Citizens Electoral Council Andrew Harris 345 0.39 −1.16
Total formal votes 87,623 95.15 +0.91
Informal votes 4,463 4.85 −0.91
Turnout 92,086 93.80 +0.69
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal National George Christensen 50,451 57.58 +5.15
Labor Bronwyn Taha 37,172 42.42 −5.15
Liberal National hold Swing +5.15
This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2016 Australian federal election in Queensland § Dawson.[edit]
2016 Australian federal election: Dawson[81]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal National George Christensen 38,474 42.61 −3.62
Labor Frank Gilbert 29,608 32.79 +3.08
Katter's Australian Ash Dodd 5,904 6.54 −0.20
Greens Jonathon Dykyj 4,652 5.15 +0.13
Independent Steven Large 4,184 4.63 +4.63
Glenn Lazarus Team Michael Hall 4,075 4.51 +4.51
Family First Amanda Nickson 3,403 3.77 +1.87
Total formal votes 90,300 95.45 +0.30
Informal votes 4,309 4.55 −0.30
Turnout 94,609 91.26 −2.56
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal National George Christensen 48,167 53.34 −4.24
Labor Frank Gilbert 42,133 46.66 +4.24
Liberal National hold Swing −4.24
This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2019 Australian federal election in Queensland § Dawson.[edit]
2019 Australian federal election: Dawson[82]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal National George Christensen 38,164 42.95 +0.32
Labor Belinda Hassan 18,022 20.28 −12.48
One Nation Debra Lawson 11,628 13.09 +13.09
Katter's Australian Brendan Bunyan 5,619 6.32 −0.22
United Australia Colin Thompson 4,355 4.90 +4.90
Greens Imogen Lindenberg 4,009 4.51 −0.65
Democratic Labour Ann-Maree Ware 2,835 3.19 +3.19
Independent Lachlan Queenan 2,478 2.79 +2.79
Conservative National Michael Turner 1,741 1.96 +1.96
Total formal votes 88,851 92.99 −2.47
Informal votes 6,699 7.01 +2.47
Turnout 95,550 90.79 −0.90
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal National George Christensen 57,405 64.61 +11.24
Labor Belinda Hassan 31,446 35.39 −11.24
Liberal National hold Swing +11.24

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  70. ^ Ruppert, Brittany (14 December 2016). "Martin Place siege: #illridewithyou hashtag goes viral". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  71. ^ Ryan, Brighette (18 December 2014). "Backtrack over viral hashtag story". The Australia. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  72. ^ Hair, Jonathan (19 July 2015). "Reclaim Australia: Federal MP George Christensen tells crowd Australia 'at war with radical Islam'". ABC News. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  73. ^ Butler, Josh (23 February 2016). "Government MP George Christensen Declares 'War On Radical Islam'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  74. ^ Safi, Michael (22 February 2016). "George Christensen seeks contributors to new 'war on radical Islam' website". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  75. ^ Lowrey, Tom (10 September 2017). "Nationals vote down motion to ban the burka at annual conference". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  76. ^ "The Manila connection on Australia's front page news". PhilTimes. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  77. ^ a b c "Queensland MP George Christensen slams 'defamatory allegations' against his wife". News Corporation. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  78. ^ Kearsley, Jonathan (2 December 2019). "George Christensen 'a regular' at Philippines adult entertainment bar: manager". SMH. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  79. ^ "2010 results for Dawson". AEC.
  80. ^ 2013 results for Dawson, AEC.
  81. ^ Dawson, QLD, Virtual Tally Room 2016, Australian Electoral Commission.
  82. ^ Dawson, QLD, Tally Room 2019, Australian Electoral Commission.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Dawson
2010–present 		Incumbent
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