Brian Austin

Brian Douglas Austin (born 22 March 1943) is an Australian politician and Minister of Health (1980–1983) who represented the state seat of Wavell for the Liberal Party (1977–1983) and then for the National Party (1983–1986). In 1983, Austin switched to the National Party (along with Don Lane, who was the Minister for Main Roads), 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. Prior to their defection, 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).

Brian Austin
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Wavell
In office 12 November 1977 – 1 November 1986
Preceded by	Arthur Crawford
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Nicklin
In office 1 November 1986 – 26 October 1989
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Bob King
Personal details
Born	Brian Douglas Austin 22 March 1943 Cleveland, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	National Party
Other political affiliations	Liberal Party
Spouse(s)	Leonie McKenzie
Alma mater	University of Queensland
Occupation	Civil Engineer

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

Austin was subsequently implicated in the corruption being investigated by Fitzgerald Inquiry and was forced to retire in 1989.[1][2][3] [4] He was convicted on 25 counts of misappropriating public funds, involving $8700 spent on private accommodation, travel and meals, and was sentenced to 15 months' jail.[5]

In 2010, the Brisbane Courier-Mail reported that Austin was selling real estate in the exclusive Brisbane suburbs of Ascot, Hamilton and Clayfield.[5]

See also

• Don Lane (politician)
• Leisha Harvey

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. Allen, Elizabeth (14 May 2007). "Players in a vast drama". Courier-Mail. Retrieved 1 November 2020.