Jump to content

Brian Austin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Eric444 (talk | contribs) at 04:11, 24 May 2016 (Reverted 1 edit by 68.187.22.247 (talk). (TW)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Brian Austin
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Wavell
In office
12 November 1977 – 1 November 1986
Preceded byArthur Crawford
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Nicklin
In office
1 November 1986 – 26 October 1989
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byBob King
Personal details
Born
Brian Douglas Austin

(1943-03-22) 22 March 1943 (age 81)
Cleveland, Queensland, Australia
Political partyNational Party
Other political
affiliations
Liberal Party
SpouseLeonie McKenzie
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
OccupationCivil Engineer

Brian Douglas Austin (born 22 March 1943) was a Queensland politician and Minister of Health (1980 to 1983) who represented the state seat of Wavell for the Liberal Party (1977–1983) and then for the National Party (1983–1986). Austin switched to the National Party (along with Don Lane, who was the Minister for Main Roads) in 1983 after Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen lobbied several Liberals to cross the floor, thus enabling the National Party to form government with a very slim majority, as prior to the swap the Nationals were one seat short of governing in their own right. At the 1986 Queensland state election, Austin became the first MP for the new Queensland electorate of Nicklin (1986–1989).

In 1987, Austin was one of three ministers who told Governor Walter Campbell that Petersen no longer had enough support to govern. This was a key event in the caucus coup that saw Bjelke-Petersen deposed as premier later that year.

Austin was subsequently implicated in the Fitzgerald Inquiry and was forced to retire in 1989.[1][2][3] [4]

Austin was convicted on 25 counts of misappropriating public funds, regarding $8700 spent on private accommodation, travel and meals, and was sentenced to 15 months' jail.[5]

In 2010 his profession was reported by the Courier-Mail newspaper to be selling real estate in the exclusive Brisbane suburbs of Ascot, Hamilton and Clayfield.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Lock, Stock & Barrel: A Political Biography of Mike Ahern, by Paul Reynolds, University of Queensland Press, ISBN 0-7022-3294-7, c2002, pages 51, 89.
  2. ^ "Queensland Young Libs say they are glad the 'misfits' defected", by Damien Murphy, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 January 1984, p.3
  3. ^ Antony Green (7 September 2006). "Queensland Election: Nicklin". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  4. ^ Tony Koch (6 February 2010). "The Liberal who stood up to Joh". The Australian. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  5. ^ a b Elizabeth Allen (14 May 2007). "Players in a vast drama". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
Political offices
Preceded by Leader of the House of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
1988–1989
Succeeded by
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for Wavell
1977–1986
Abolished
New seat Member for Nicklin
1986–1989
Succeeded by