Neil Brown (Australian politician)
Neil Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | Neil Anthony Brown February 22, 1940 Essendon, Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, columnist |
| Years active | 1969–1991 (politics) |
| Known for | Deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (1985–1987); Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs; Minister for Communications |
Neil Anthony Brown (born 22 February 1940) is a former Australian politician. Between 1985 and 1987, he held the positions of deputy leader of the Liberal Party and deputy opposition leader, serving under John Howard. During the Fraser government, Brown was appointed as Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs from 1981 to 1982 and subsequently as Minister for Communications from 1982 until 1983.
Early life
Raised in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Brown was the son of Alexander Brown, an electrical mechanic by trade. His education included attendance at Moonee Ponds Central School followed by University High School. He pursued legal studies at the University of Melbourne, simultaneously working part-time at the Victorian Public Solicitor's office. Brown gained admission to the Victorian Bar in 1964 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1980.
Early years
At the age of 15 in 1955, Brown became a member of the Liberal Party. He first entered the House of Representatives in 1969 as the representative for the Division of Diamond Valley, becoming the youngest member of the Coalition at that time at age 29. After losing his seat to Labor candidate David McKenzie in 1972, Brown returned to legal practice with a focus on industrial law before regaining Diamond Valley in the 1975 election. In 1980, he led Australian observers during Zimbabwe’s general election.
Fraser government
Brown was appointed to the ministry in April 1981 as Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs during the tenure of the Fraser government. In 1982, he briefly held the role of Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, where he initiated an investigation into the "colour-television affair," which resulted in ministerial resignations. Elevated to cabinet as Minister for Communications, he remained in this position until the Fraser government was defeated in 1983, when he lost his Diamond Valley seat to Labor’s Peter Staples.
Opposition
In 1984, Brown returned to Parliament representing the newly established Division of Menzies, a constituency with stronger Liberal support than his previous seat. He was appointed Shadow Attorney-General within Andrew Peacock's shadow cabinet. In September 1985, Brown was chosen as deputy leader of the Liberal Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, succeeding John Howard after winning 36 out of 70 votes against eleven rivals. During Howard’s medical leave in December 1985, Brown temporarily assumed leadership responsibilities.
He maintained his role as deputy leader until July 1987 when he resigned following a leadership challenge after three successive electoral defeats; Andrew Peacock succeeded him. Peter Shack criticized this change, emphasizing that a deputy capable of providing more robust support to the leader was necessary after repeated losses.
Brown continued serving on the frontbench under leaders Howard, Peacock, and John Hewson until his unexpected departure from Parliament in February 1991. After returning to legal practice, his resignation triggered a by-election won by Liberal candidate Kevin Andrews.
Later life
In 1993, Brown released his memoir titled On the Other Hand: Sketches and Reflections From Political Life. Jack Waterford, writing for The Canberra Times, compared Brown to the author of the Alan Clark Diaries, describing him as "one of the most extraordinary politicians to have reached the upper echelons of the Liberal Party".
Brown chose not to renew his Liberal Party membership in 2001, citing his dissatisfaction with the Howard government. By 2006, he had established himself as a mediator and arbitrator, handling disputes related to domestic and international commercial matters, trade, construction, as well as conflicts involving Internet domain name issues.
Additionally, he regularly writes a weekly column for The Spectator Australia.
Personal life
Brown entered into marriage in 1985 and became stepfather to two children from his wife's previous relationship. His wife Margaret stood as the Liberal candidate during the 1989 Greensborough state by-election. The couple eventually divorced, and Margaret remarried thereafter. Brown publicly acknowledged his sexuality in 1996 when he appeared on OutRage magazine’s list of notable homosexuals and lesbians. In a 1998 interview, he revealed that his wife had been aware of his sexual orientation prior to their marriage. He identified primarily as gay but also accepted the label bisexual, making him one of Australia’s earliest politicians to come out openly.
Honours
- 1 January 2001: Awarded the Centenary Medal in recognition of his service to the Commonwealth Parliament and Government from 1969 until 1991
External links
- neilbrownqc.com (official personal website)
- domaintimes.info (blog focused on domain name disputes)