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Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958) is an Australian politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. Nelson has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2 March 1996, representing the Division of Bradfield, New South Wales, and was elected Leader of the Opposition following his party's defeat at the 2007 federal election.[2] Nelson was the first Roman Catholic to lead the Liberal Party of Australia. Despite a small and steady increase after record low polling, Nelson lost the leadership of the Liberal Party to Shadow Treasurer, Malcolm Turnbull, on 16 September 2008 by 45 to 41 votes in a spill motion.[3]
[edit] Early lifeNelson was born in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] His father's strong involvement in the union movement and the Australian Labor Party led Nelson to join the party in 1988.[4][1] Nelson attended Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide and The University of Adelaide. He commenced, though did not complete, a Bachelor of Finance in Economics at Flinders University, Adelaide where he graduated in medicine (MB BS). He was a general practitioner in Hobart, Tasmania 1985-95, Director of Hobart and Launceston After Hours Medical Services 1987-91, Tasmanian State President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) 1990-92, Federal Vice-President 1991-93 and Federal President 1993-95. [edit] Political careerHis partner in his medical practice was Dr. David Crean, brother of Labor politician Simon Crean and later a Tasmanian state Labor minister. Nelson in 1988 was a member of the Australian Labor Party. By 1994, however, Nelson was a member of the Liberal Party and in 1995 he gained the party's endorsement for Bradfield, one of the safest Liberal electorates in Australia. It is speculated he joined the Labor Party in the hope of winning Denison, the strongest Labor seat in Tasmania (held by Duncan Kerr), and that when he was rejected he defected to the Liberal Party.[5] Nelson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in 2001. [edit] Minister for Education, Science and TrainingAfter the 2001 federal election he was promoted directly to Cabinet with the senior portfolio of Minister for Education, Science and Training. He introduced a series of radical changes to Australia's higher education system that simultaneously imposed more direct government control over the management of universities while also allowing them to earn more revenue by charging higher fees to students. He extended the government's policy of directing more federal funding to non-government schools, as well as becoming more involved in reviewing the state education systems. In 2005 he introduced Voluntary Student Unionism. He was a popular target for student activism because of these changes.[6][7] In 2005 Nelson expressed support for giving parents the option of having students exposed to the controversial subject of intelligent design. However he emphasized that evolution should always hold first place saying, "I'd be quite concerned if intelligent design were to replace evolution."[8] He later said intelligent design should only be taught in religion or philosophy classes.[9] [edit] Minister for DefenceAfter his rapid promotion to Cabinet, Nelson was spoken of as a possible future Liberal leader. On 24 January 2006, then Prime Minister John Howard announced Nelson's promotion from the Education, Science and Training portfolio to the high profile Defence portfolio. As Defence Minister, he made the controversial decision to purchase Boeing's Super Hornet aircraft instead of a fighter perceived by some to be more capable.[10] [edit] Leader of the OppositionFollowing the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was elected Liberal party leader and therefore Leader of the Opposition, narrowly defeating Malcolm Turnbull in a 45 to 42 vote,[2] after the withdrawal from the race of Tony Abbott. After Nelson's election, his political past resurfaced, with him claiming he came from a Labor family.[11] Nelson became the first person since Billy Snedden in 1972 to become Opposition Leader without prior experience in Opposition. Nelson is also the first Catholic to lead the Liberal Party.[12] On 1 December 2007 Nelson attempted to distance himself from some of the conservative policies of his predecessor, saying "I don't support gay marriage, adoption or IVF. But I believe in addressing the social and economic injustices affecting homosexuals."[13] Nelson declared that the Liberal Party had "listened and learned" from the Australian public and that WorkChoices is "dead", and called on the Government to move quickly to introduce draft industrial relations legislation.[14] In January 2008, Nelson opposed making any formal apology to the indigenous Australians known as the "Stolen Generations". Nelson said such an apology would fuel guilt among middle Australia, and cause a mentality of "victimhood" among indigenous Australians.[15] In early February 2008, Nelson changed his stance, and declared that he supported the apology, first personally[16][17][18], then also on behalf of his party:
Nelson's leadership came under increased pressure in January 2008, after an MP shifted loyalties to Turnbull, and taking into consideration that former MP David Tollner was still allowed to vote, the leadership vote would now be deadlocked at 43-43.[20] Newspoll polling in February 2008 set a record low "Preferred Prime Minister" rating for any opposition leader at 9 percent, with March polling setting another record of 7 percent, with two party preferred setting another Newspoll record at 37-63 percent.[21] Nelson responded by declaring himself the underdog.[22] In response to increased speculation about his leadership Nelson commented in April that he "will keep fighting and standing up for everyday Australians.".[23] Nelson used his 2008 budget reply to declare the Rudd government budget a "tax and spend" budget, as well as arguing for a 5 cent reduction in petrol excise, and pledging to block an increase in the "alcopop" tax.[24]. Nelson's performance prompted Deputy Leader Julie Bishop to declare that Nelson's leadership was "not in question"[25] In May 2008, Nelson gave his approval to a merger occurring between the Queensland Liberal Party and Queensland National Party.[26] Support for Nelson as leader within the Liberal Party had all but collapsed by the end of July 2008, in part due to repeated gaffes on emissions trading and climate change. Expected to challenge him was either Peter Costello or Malcolm Turnbull, upon the release of Costello's book, The Costello Memoirs.[27][28][29] Costello stated he would not be making any move for the Liberal leadership,[30] however media outlets capitalised on Costello's failure to categorically rule out any future leadership challenge.[31][32] Nelson suffered from another gaffe in August 2008, where he stated:
He later attempted to clarify the comment in that he was referring to Costello staying in parliament.[33][34][35] Despite a small and steady increase after record low polling, Nelson lost the leadership of the Liberal Party to Shadow Treasurer, Malcolm Turnbull, on 16 September 2008 by 45 to 41 votes in a spill motion.[36] [edit] Personal life
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