Brian Austin
Encyclopedia
Brian Austin 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.
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.
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.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
politician and Minister of Health
Minister for Health and Ageing (Australia)
The Minister for Health and Ageing is a portfolio in the Government of Australia with the responsibility for national health policy. The current Minister for Health and Ageing is Nicola Roxon...
(1980 to 1983) who represented the state seat of Wavell
Electoral district of Wavell
Wavell was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland from 1960 to 1986.The district was based in the northern suburbs of Brisbane.-Members for Wavell:...
for the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
(1977–1983) and then for the National Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
(1983–1986). Austin switched to the National Party (along with Don Lane
Don Lane (politician)
Donald Frederick Lane was a Minister of Transport in the Bjelke-Petersen state of Queensland's coalition government. A former policeman in the Special Branch, in 1971 he was elected as the Liberal member for Merthyr. In 1983 he joined the National Party providing it with a majority...
, who was the Minister for Main Roads) in 1983 after Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
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
Electoral district of Nicklin
The district of Nicklin is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland. The electorate is centred in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, and stretches north to Yandina, south to Eudlo and west to Kenilworth...
(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
Fitzgerald Inquiry
The Fitzgerald Inquiry into Queensland Police corruption was a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald QC. The inquiry resulted in the deposition of a premier, two by-elections, the jailing of three former ministers and a police commissioner who was jailed and lost his...
and was forced to retire in 1989.
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.
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.