# Brian Burston > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brian_Burston > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brian_Burston.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Burston > Source revision: 1349803817 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Australian politician (born 1948)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Brian Burston | honorific_suffix = | image = Brian_Burston.jpg | alt = | caption = | office = Leader of [One Nation NSW](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation_%E2%80%93_New_South_Wales) | majority = | term_start = {{start date|df=yes|2010|03|31}} | term_end = {{end date|df=yes|2018|06|17}} | predecessor = Judith Newson | successor = [Mark Latham](/source/Mark_Latham) | office1 = [Party Whip](/source/Party_Whip) of [Pauline Hanson's One Nation](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation) in the [Senate](/source/Australian_Senate) | majority1 = | term_start1 = {{start date|df=yes|2016|08|30}} | term_end1 = {{end date|df=yes|2018|05|24}} | successor1 = [Peter Georgiou](/source/Peter_Georgiou) | office2 = [Senator](/source/Australian_Senate) for [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) | majority2 = | term_start2 = {{start date|df=yes|2016|07|02}} | term_end2 = {{end date|df=yes|2019|06|30}} | office3 = Leader of the [United Australia Party](/source/Palmer_United_Party)
in the Senate | term_start3 = {{start date|df=yes|2018|06|18}} | term_end3 = {{end date|df=yes|2019|06|30}} | leader3 = [Clive Palmer](/source/Clive_Palmer) | predecessor3 = [Glenn Lazarus](/source/Glenn_Lazarus) | successor3 = [Ralph Babet](/source/Ralph_Babet) | office4 = Deputy Leader of [Pauline's United Australia Party](/source/Pauline's_United_Australia_Party) | term_start4 = {{start date|df=yes|2007|05|24}} | term_end4 = {{end date|df=yes|2010|03|31}} | leader4 = [Pauline Hanson](/source/Pauline_Hanson) | predecessor4 = ''Party created'' | successor4 = ''Party dissolved'' | office5 = National Director of [One Nation](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation) | term_start5 = {{start date|df=yes|2000|10|04}} | term_end5 = {{end date|df=yes|2002|08|05}}
Alongside [David Ettridge](/source/David_Ettridge) | leader5 = [John Fischer](/source/John_Fischer_(politician)) | predecessor5 = [David Oldfield](/source/David_Oldfield_(politician)) | successor5 = [Ian Nelson](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|25 February 1948}} | birth_place = [Cessnock, New South Wales](/source/Cessnock%2C_New_South_Wales), Australia | death_date = | death_place = | party = [United Australia](/source/Palmer_United_Party) (since 2018) | other_party = [One Nation NSW](/source/One_Nation_NSW) (2000–2004)
[Pauline's UAP](/source/Pauline's_United_Australia_Party) (2007–2010)
[One Nation](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation) (1997–2000; 2010–2018) | education = [Cessnock High School](/source/Cessnock%2C_New_South_Wales) | alma_mater = [Hunter Institute of TAFE](/source/Hunter_Institute_of_TAFE)
[Sydney Institute of TAFE](/source/Sydney_Institute_of_TAFE)
[Sydney Teachers' College](/source/Sydney_Teachers'_College) | occupation = Boilermaker
Draftsman
Politician }} '''Brian Burston''' (born 25 February 1948) is a former Australian politician. He was a [Senator](/source/Australian_Senate) for [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) from 2016 to 2019, originally representing [One Nation](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation).{{cite news |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/SenateResultsMenu-20499.htm |title=Senate results – AEC tally room |date=4 August 2016 |publisher=[Australian Electoral Commission](/source/Australian_Electoral_Commission) |access-date=4 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803074259/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/SenateResultsMenu-20499.htm |archive-date=3 August 2016 |df=dmy-all}} After falling out with party leader [Pauline Hanson](/source/Pauline_Hanson) over company tax cuts, Burston left One Nation and joined businessman [Clive Palmer](/source/Clive_Palmer)'s newly relaunched [United Australia Party](/source/Palmer_United_Party). Palmer announced Burston as the new parliamentary leader of the party on 18 June 2018, but Burston failed to win re-election at the [2019 federal election](/source/2019_Australian_federal_election). ==Early life== Burston was born and grew up in [Cessnock, New South Wales](/source/Cessnock%2C_New_South_Wales). He started an apprenticeship as a [boilermaker](/source/boilermaker) with [BHP](/source/BHP) when he was 15. He has taught at [TAFE NSW](/source/TAFE_NSW), trained TAFE teachers at [Newcastle University](/source/University_of_Newcastle_(Australia)) and worked as a contract [draftsman](/source/draftsman). He was employed at the former Newcastle Teachers College. He has been a councillor on [Cessnock City Council](/source/Cessnock_City_Council). He married at the age of 22, had three children and later divorced. He married his second wife, a teacher named Rosie, in 2008. Their home overlooks [Lake Macquarie](/source/Lake_Macquarie_(New_South_Wales)).{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/meet-brian-burston-one-nations-power-behind-the-throne-20160805-gqm6cx.html |title=Meet Brian Burston: One Nation's power behind the throne |date=6 August 2016 |first=Damien |last=Murphy |access-date=10 August 2016 |newspaper=[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald)}} Burston became a member of [Pauline Hanson's One Nation](/source/Pauline_Hanson's_One_Nation) soon after its inception.{{cite web |title=One Nation Candidates |url=http://www.onenation.com.au/candidates/brianburston |publisher=Pauline Hanson's One Nation |access-date=2019-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603054720/http://www.onenation.com.au/candidates/brianburston |archive-date=2016-06-03}} He is a former National Director of One Nation, having served alongside [David Ettridge](/source/David_Ettridge). In concert with the overthrow and imprisonment of [Pauline Hanson](/source/Pauline_Hanson), Burston left Pauline Hanson's One Nation and joined [One Nation NSW](/source/One_Nation_NSW), a splinter group of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, founded and led by [David Oldfield](/source/David_Oldfield_(politician)). After Oldfield abandoned One Nation NSW, Burston rejoined Pauline Hanson's One Nation. ==Senator (2016–2019)== After Burston was elected to the Senate at the [2016 federal election](/source/2016_Australian_federal_election), he was elected as One Nation's [party whip](/source/party_whip).{{cite web |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2Fcd63b390-a3f0-48f9-b492-5960a591d967%2F0034%22 |title=PARTY OFFICE HOLDERS: Pauline Hanson's One Nation |publisher=ParlInfo |date=2016-08-30 |access-date=2018-06-04}} In his maiden speech to parliament, Burston warned that large-scale immigration was undermining social cohesion, placing pressure on infrastructure and housing affordability and increasing crime in Australia.{{cite web |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F7a902cfa-f2c8-48d1-9bf0-f8510b63f4be%2F0124%22 |title=First Speech |publisher=Parliament of Australia |date=2016-10-11 |access-date=2018-06-04}} He also criticised "aggressive [multiculturalism](/source/multiculturalism)", stating:
It seems that every group pride is promoted in the media and schools except for ours, the nation's. The [ABC](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) long ago abandoned any semblance of patriotism, or even balance. Other taxpayer-funded media – [SBS](/source/Special_Broadcasting_Service) and [NITV](/source/NITV) – serve immigrants and [Indigenous Australians](/source/Indigenous_Australians). The national flag is often ignored or dishonoured in schools, while multiculturalism and indigenous issues are now part of the curriculum. The majority of students are not supported in their [Anglo-Australian](/source/Anglo-Celtic_Australians) identity, but are made to feel guilty for supposed historical injustices committed by their ancestors.
Burston is a public opponent of [same-sex marriage](/source/same-sex_marriage), and was one of twelve senators who voted against what became the [Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017](/source/Marriage_Amendment_(Definition_and_Religious_Freedoms)_Act_2017).{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/gay-marriage/samesex-marriage-bill-set-to-pass-the-senate/news-story/77e3a18b6f990ee542a96d9e75ff0c5d |title=Senate passes same-sex marriage bill |newspaper=News.com.au |publisher=News Limited |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=9 January 2018}} In 2017, he was one of ten senators to vote in favour of [Cory Bernardi](/source/Cory_Bernardi)'s motion to ban gender-selective abortion. It was defeated by ten votes to 36.{{cite web |url=https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/divisions/senate/2017-11-16/2 |title=Motions - Abortion - Gender grounds |publisher=They Vote For You |date=2017-11-16 |access-date=2018-06-04}}{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-16/bernardi-making-provocative-motions-hanson-young-fires-up/9158076 |title=Cory Bernardi is using provocative motions to make ideological points in the Senate |work=ABC News |date=2017-11-16 |access-date=2018-06-04}} In May 2018, Burston announced he would support the [Turnbull government](/source/Turnbull_government)'s proposed corporate tax cuts, a move that contradicted One Nation policy. He was soon demoted from the role of party whip,{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-24/brian-burston-dumped-as-one-nation-whip/9796970 |title=Former One Nation whip says he won't 'have a dummy spit' after being demoted by Pauline Hanson |first=Caitlyn |last=Gribbin |date=24 May 2018 |work=ABC News |access-date=25 May 2018}} and reportedly attempted to leave One Nation for the [Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party](/source/Shooters%2C_Fishers_and_Farmers_Party).{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-31/pauline-hanson-fights-back-tears-brian-burston-one-nation/9822456 |title=Pauline Hanson fights tears on national television, claims One Nation senator Brian Burston has tried to defect |work=ABC News |date=2018-05-31 |access-date=2018-06-04}}{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pauline-hanson-to-lose-self-serving-senator-after-company-tax-row-20180531-p4zirm.html |title=Pauline Hanson to lose 'self-serving' senator after company tax row |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2018-05-31 |access-date=2018-06-04}} On 18 June 2018, he told the Senate he had resigned from One Nation to sit as an independent,{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-14/one-nation-senator-brian-burston-quits-after-pauline-hanson-feud/9868226 |title=One Nation senator Brian Burston quits party after prolonged feud with Pauline Hanson |date=14 June 2018 |publisher=[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) |access-date=14 June 2018 }} but later that day he announced that he would join Clive Palmer's [United Australia Party](/source/Palmer_United_Party), as party leader.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-18/brian-burston-will-run-for-clive-palmers-party-next-election/9879984 |title=Brian Burston joins Clive Palmer's United Australia Party as Senate leader |date=18 June 2018 |publisher=[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) |access-date=18 June 2018 |first=Caitlyn |last=Gribbin |work=[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))}}{{cite news |last1=Crowe |first1=David |title=Democracy for sale: what did Clive Palmer get for his $50m-plus? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/democracy-for-sale-what-did-clive-palmer-get-for-his-50m-plus-20191024-p533vv.html |access-date=2019-10-25 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2019-10-25}} He became part of the economically conservative voting bloc formed by [crossbench](/source/Crossbencher) Senators [David Leyonhjelm](/source/David_Leyonhjelm), [Cory Bernardi](/source/Cory_Bernardi) and [Fraser Anning](/source/Fraser_Anning).{{cite news |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=The tax cut battle explained in less than two minutes |date=18 June 2018 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-tax-cut-battle-explained-in-less-than-two-minutes-20180618-p4zm52.html}} In February 2019, Burston accused fellow Party Leader and Senator Pauline Hanson of sexual harassment, in an incident which occurred in 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-13/burston-levels-sexual-harassment-allegations-at-pauline-hanson/10809710|title=Brian Burston levels sexual harassment allegations at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson|publisher=ABC.net|access-date=14 February 2019|date=14 February 2019}} Burston was defeated at the [2019 federal election](/source/2019_Australian_federal_election).{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=207807 |name=Senator Brian Burston |access-date=2021-11-07}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/nsw/brian_burston Summary of parliamentary voting for Senator Brian Burston on TheyVoteForYou.org.au] {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Burston, Brian}} Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:People from Cessnock, New South Wales Category:One Nation members of the Parliament of Australia Category:Pauline Hanson's One Nation politicians Category:Members of the Australian Senate for New South Wales Category:Members of the Australian Senate Category:New South Wales local councillors Category:United Australia Party (2013) politicians Category:Australian politicians who switched parties Category:21st-century Australian politicians --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Brian Burston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Burston) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Burston?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.