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).

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]