Brendan Nelson Totally Explained

Everything about Brendan Nelson totally explained

Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958) is the 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 appointed Leader of the Opposition following his party's defeat at the 2007 federal election.

Early life

Nelson was born in Melbourne, Victoria. however Nelson grew up with both parents. His father's strong involvement in the union movement and the Australian Labor Party led Nelson to join the party in 1988.
Nelson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in 2001.

Minister for Education, Science and Training

After 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.
In 2005 Nelson expressed support for the teaching the controversial theory of intelligent design alongside evolution if parents wished it. He later said it should only be taught in religion or philosophy classes.

Minister for Defence

After his rapid promotion to Cabinet, Nelson was spoken of as a possible future Liberal leader. On 24 January 2006, former 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.

Leader of the Opposition

Following the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was elected party leader and therefore Leader of the Opposition, narrowly defeating Malcolm Turnbull in a 45 to 42 vote
   Nelson became the first person to become Opposition Leader without previous or existing experience in Opposition since Billy Snedden.
   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."
   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.
   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. In early February 2008, Nelson changed his stance, and declared that he supported the apology, first personally, then also on behalf of his party:

I, on behalf of the Coalition, of the alternative government of Australia, are [sic] providing in-principle support for the offer of an apology to the forcibly removed generations of Aboriginal children.

Nelson's leadership has come 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. 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. Nelson responded by declaring himself the underdog. In response to increased speculation about his leadership Nelson commented in April that he "will keep fighting and standing up for everyday Australians.".
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.. Nelson's performance prompted Deputy Leader Julie Bishop to declare that Nelson's leadership was "not in question"
In May 2008, Nelson gave his approval of a Liberal/National merger occurring in the state division of the Queensland Party.

Personal life

Nelson has been married three times.
In 1995, his brother, Philip, died after a long battle with AIDS.

Further Information

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