View source for Brendan Nelson

{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1958)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Brendan Nelson
| honorific-suffix    = [[Officer of the Order of Australia|AO]]
| image               = Brendan Nelson (3).jpg
| imagesize           = 
| smallimage          = 
| caption             = 
| order2              = [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Leader of the Opposition]]
| term_start          = 17 December 2012
| term_end            = 23 December 2019
| predecessor         = [[Steve Gower]]
| successor           = Matthew Anderson
| order1              = [[List of Australian Ambassadors to Belgium|Ambassador of Australia to Belgium, Luxembourg, the EU and NATO]]
| term_start1         = 17 September 2009
| term_end1           = 10 October 2012
| predecessor1        = Alan Thomas
| successor1          = [[Duncan Lewis]]
| order               = [[Australian War Memorial|Director of the Australian War Memorial]]
| term_start2         = 3 December 2007
| term_end2           = 16 September 2008
| primeminister2      = [[Kevin Rudd]]
| deputy2             = [[Julie Bishop]]
| predecessor2        = [[Kevin Rudd]]
| successor2          = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| office3             = [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|Leader of the Liberal Party]]
| term_start3         = 29 November 2007
| term_end3           = 16 September 2008
| deputy3             = [[Julie Bishop]]
| predecessor3        = [[John Howard]]
| successor3          = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| office4             = [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]]
| term_start4         = 27 January 2006
| term_end4           = 3 December 2007
| primeminister4      = [[John Howard]]
| predecessor4        = [[Robert Hill (Australian politician)|Robert Hill]]
| successor4          = [[Joel Fitzgibbon]]
| office5             = [[Minister for Education (Australia)|Minister for Education, Science and Training]]
| term_start5         = 26 November 2001
| term_end5           = 27 January 2006
| primeminister5      = [[John Howard]]
| predecessor5        = [[David Kemp (Australian politician)|David Kemp]]
| successor5          = [[Julie Bishop]]
| constituency_MP6    = [[Division of Bradfield|Bradfield]]
| parliament6         = Australian
| term_start6         = 2 March 1996
| term_end6           = 19 October 2009
| predecessor6        = [[David Connolly (politician)|David Connolly]]
| successor6          = [[Paul Fletcher (politician)|Paul Fletcher]]
| birth_name          = Brendan John Nelson
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1958|8|19|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Coburg, Victoria]], Australia
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] (after 1994)
| otherparty          = [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] (until 1994)
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Deanna Nelson<br />|1981|1982|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Kate Nelson<br />|1983|1999|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Gillian Adamson<br />|1999}}<ref name=evolution>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/22/1135032135726.html?page=fullpage|title=The evolution of Brendan Nelson|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=23 December 2005|access-date=16 February 2009}}</ref>
}}
| relations           = 
| children            = 3
| residence           = 
| education           = [[Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide|Saint Ignatius' College]]
| alma_mater          = [[University of Adelaide]]<br />[[Flinders University]]
| occupation          = [[Medical practitioner]]<br />([[Self-employment|Self-employed]])
| profession          = [[General practitioner]]<br/>[[Politician]]
| signature           = 
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
}}

'''Brendan John Nelson''' {{postnominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO}} (born 19 August 1958) is an Australian business leader, physician and former politician. He served as the federal [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]] from 2007 to 2008, going on to serve as Australia's senior diplomat to the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]]. He currently serves in a global leadership role with [[Boeing]].

A medical doctor by profession, he came to public prominence as the Federal President of the [[Australian Medical Association]] (1993–95), and served as a Minister in the third and fourth terms of the [[Howard government]], serving as [[Minister for Education (Australia)|Minister for Education, Science and Training]] (2001–06) and [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]] (2006–2007).

Nelson was a member of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] from 1996 to 2009, as the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] member for the [[Division of Bradfield]] in northern Sydney.

Following the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]], at which the Howard government was defeated, Nelson [[2007 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|was elected]] leader of the Liberal Party in a contest against former [[Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Australia)|Minister for Environment and Water Resources]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]], and became the Leader of the Opposition on 3 December 2007.<ref name="SMH_Nelson_wins">{{cite news |title=Nelson wins Liberal leadership |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037040072.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=29 November 2007|access-date=29 November 2007}}</ref> On 16 September 2008, in a second contest following a [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2008|spill motion]], Nelson lost the leadership of the Opposition and the Liberal Party to Turnbull.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/09/16/1221330800745.html|title=Get behind Turnbull: Nelson tells Libs|last=Hudson|first=Phillip|date=16 September 2008|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=16 February 2009}}</ref>

Nelson retired from politics in 2009,<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/nelson-to-quit-politics-and-force-byelection-20090825-exax.html|title=Nelson to quit politics and force byelection|last=Grattan|first=Michelle|work=The Age|date=25 August 2009|access-date=25 August 2009|location=Melbourne}}</ref> and was [[List of Australian Ambassadors to Belgium|Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO]] from 2009 to 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stephanos |first=Maria |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26086104-12377,00.html |title=Kim Beazley, Brendan Nelson new US, EU ambassadors: The Australian 17/9/2009 |publisher=[[The Australian]] |access-date=13 June 2010 }}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was then Director of the [[Australian War Memorial]] from 2012 to 2019, subsequently serving as its chair until the end of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-20 |title=Barnaby Joyce's warning to Kim Beazley on War Memorial position |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7949511/barnaby-joyces-warning-to-kim-beazley-on-war-memorial-position/ |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Lismore City News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In February 2020, Nelson was made the President of [[Boeing Australia|Boeing Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ironside |first=Robyn |date=20 January 2020 |title=Brendan Nelson appointed by Boeing to be Oceania president |work=[[The Australian]] |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/brendan-nelson-appointed-by-boeing-to-be-oceania-president/news-story/eacc27da7ff42ebf4c3f859af2cac616}}</ref> In September 2022, it was announced he would move to London to become President of Boeing International.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-26 |title=Brendan Nelson to head Boeing International in London |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/brendan-nelson-to-head-boeing-international-in-london-20220926-p5bl1d |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Nelson was born in [[Coburg, Victoria|Coburg]], a suburb of [[Melbourne]], as the eldest of three children of Des Nelson, a marine chief steward active in the Seamen's Union, and his wife, Patricia.<ref name=evolution/> In his infancy, his family moved to his mother's home town of [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]], [[Tasmania]].

In his early teenage years, the Nelson family relocated again to [[Adelaide]], South Australia, where he matriculated at [[Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide|Saint Ignatius' College]] before going on to study economics at the [[University of Adelaide]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/about_flinders_files/Documents/Citation-Nelson.pdf|title=Citation for the award of the Degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) Hon Dr Brendan John Nelson BMBS Flinders, FRACP (Hon), FAMA|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316054806/http://www.flinders.edu.au/about_flinders_files/Documents/Citation-Nelson.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he dropped out in his first year, working in various casual jobs in retail and hospitality before returning to university to study medicine.{{when|date=December 2016}} He switched to [[Flinders University]] to complete his [[Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery#Australia|Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery]] (MBBS).{{when|date=December 2016}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-15 |title=Dr Brendan Nelson's career highs so far |url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6330013/dr-brendan-nelsons-career-highs-so-far/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Illawarra Mercury |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Medical career==

===General practice career===
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2023}}
Nelson then relocated to [[Hobart]], Tasmania, taking up practice as a [[general practitioner|medical practitioner]] from 1985 until 1995. In 1986, he married for a second time, and became a father to twins. In 1987, he and [[David Crean]], brother of [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] politician [[Simon Crean]] and later a Tasmanian state Labor minister, established an after-hours locum service which he worked in until 1991.

===President of the Australian Medical Association===
In 1988, Nelson joined the [[Australian Medical Association]], and in 1990 became the Tasmanian State president of the organisation, taking a reformist approach to the role, and assisted the State branch in growing its membership. In 1991, he replaced Michael Jones, a former AMA president from Western Australia, as federal AMA vice-president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doctor in Charge Shakes Up AMA|last=Birnbauer|first=Bill|date=27 September 1993|work=[[The Age]]|page=4}}</ref> He took a strong public stand against sponsorship of sports events by cigarette companies, lobbying politicians directly for legislative change, and also encouraged airlines to increase the number of non-smoking seats.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cricket body challenged on tobacco funds|last=Mostyn|first=Suzanne|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 July 1991|page=6}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=Smoking campaign|work=The Age|date=22 October 1991|page=15}}<br/>* {{cite news|last=Stapleton|first=John|title=It's a funny way to give up smoking|date=1 June 1992|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=4}}</ref>

On 30 May 1993, Nelson was elected unopposed as federal president of the Australian Medical Association, at 34 being the youngest ever holder of the office. He came to the office after significant hostility between the AMA and the federal Labor government, which peaked at the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 election]] under former AMA president [[Bruce Shepherd]] and former Health Minister [[Brian Howe (politician)|Brian Howe]]. Nelson attempted to establish better relations with the government and its new Health Minister, [[Graham Richardson]]. He pledged to make [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] health and the effects of unemployment on health a high priority during his term as federal president, and would appoint a full-time worker based in Canberra to look after these issues.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richardson and new AMA chief in truce|last=Johnston|first=Nicholas|date=31 May 1993|work=The Age|page=2}}</ref><ref name=smh_29may93>{{cite news|title=AMA shepherds in a new era|last=Cooke|first=Jennifer|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=5|date=29 May 1993}}</ref>

In an address to the [[National Press Club (Australia)|National Press Club]] on 30 September 1993, acknowledging the AMA's reputation for conservatism, he said he would not "lead the AMA safely", but believed doctors should "lead the way in showing that national progress can be made by placing the welfare and consideration of other human beings ahead of their own," asserting their obligation to speak out on issues for the public good. In the address, he advocated gay law reform, greater concern for the environment, more attention to Aboriginal and unemployed health, and greater co-operation between the medical profession and politicians of all sides to build a better health system.<ref>{{cite news|title=New prescription for the AMA|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 October 1993|page=16}}<br/>{{cite news|title=Personalities not principles|last=Dempster|first=Quentin|date=24 October 1993|work=[[The Sun-Herald]]|page=35}}</ref> In November, he told a national Aboriginal conference in Sydney that he was ashamed of the medical profession's track record on Aboriginal health, arguing that "doctors need to ask themselves how a person can be well when they've been denied their land, their hunting grounds, their citizenship and freedom and even their own children. Of course Aboriginal people's health has suffered when you look at this litany of misery".<ref>{{cite news|title=AMA Chief Vows To Aid Aborigines |last=Davies|first=Julie-Anne|work=Sunday Age|date=28 November 1993|page=10}}</ref> As president, while personally opposing [[euthanasia]], he supported the right of doctors to withdraw treatment from consenting critically ill patients, and supported euthanasia campaigner [[Philip Nitschke]]'s case against the [[Royal Darwin Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Letting People Die Is A Duty&nbsp;– Doctor|last=Magazanik|first=Michael|work=The Age|date=9 July 1993|page=3}}</ref>

The role of private health in the health care mix, Aboriginal health, the AMA's ongoing campaign against cigarette sponsorship of sports events, and the size of the Medicare levy were other significant issues which occupied a lot of Nelson's time and attention as federal president, as they did the various Ministers for Health in the final years of the [[Keating government]]. Nelson took ministers and shadow ministers around Central Australia to view Aboriginal communities. In October 1994, the World Conference on Tobacco and Health in Paris unanimously adopted an AMA resolution calling for a formal United Nations strategy on tobacco control.<ref>{{cite news|title=Australian Anti-smoke Move Gets World Nod |last=Daley|first=Paul|date=16 October 1994|work=Sunday Age|page=8}}</ref>

==Political career==

=== Early involvement with the Australian Labor Party ===
Nelson's father's strong involvement in the [[Australian labour movement|union movement]] and the Australian Labor Party influenced his early political development, and he joined Labor at the age of 13. However, he resigned from the Labor Party in 1991 before accepting a role on the AMA executive, on account of his perception of it as an apolitical position.<ref name=evolution/><ref name=smh_29may93/>

At a rowdy pre-election rally during the 1993 election campaign in [[Toorak, Victoria|Toorak]], as vice-president of the AMA, he declared via a [[megaphone]] that "I have never voted Liberal in my life!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22858855-662,00.html|title=Nelson support for gay couples|date=3 December 2007|work=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=16 February 2009 | first=Gerard | last=McManus}}</ref> On 25 November 1993, he told journalist and medical writer Steve Dow that Labor governments generally were better for Australia but not always in their handling of health care.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nelson's high hopes|last=Henderson|first=Gerard|author-link=Gerard Henderson|date=23 August 1994|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=15}}</ref><ref name=dow_1mar95>{{cite news|title=Nelson chooses his seat|last=Dow|first=Steve|date=1 March 1995|work=The Age|page=11|quote="Again, it's probably consistent with my perhaps lifelong philosophy of, you know, saying, well maybe Labor governments are generally better for the country that's a personal view, by the way, it's not an AMA view..."}}</ref>

=== Early political career ===
In January 1994, Nelson joined the Tasmanian branch of the [[Liberal Party of Australia]]. After initially being tipped for the South Australian seat of [[Division of Boothby|Boothby]], being vacated by outgoing Liberal MP [[Steele Hall (Australian politician)|Steele Hall]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert Hill falls foul of the Steele Hall factor|last=Wright|first=Tony|date=8 November 1994|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=19}}</ref> he sold his Tasmanian home, and moved to [[Lindfield, New South Wales|Lindfield]] in the affluent [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]] region of Sydney, establishing a surgery at [[The Rocks, New South Wales|The Rocks]] and switching his membership to the [[Pymble, New South Wales|Pymble]] branch. On 30 January 1995, he announced his nomination for the preselection contest for [[Division of Bradfield|Bradfield]], a safe Liberal seat in which Pymble was located and held since 1974 by shadow minister [[David Connolly (politician)|David Connolly]]. The seat had been in Liberal hands for its entire existence, and the Liberals held it with a 27-percent majority, making it the safest Coalition seat in Sydney and one of the safest Coalition seats in metropolitan Australia.<ref>{{cite news|title=No Half Nelson, The Doctor Is in the Liberal Party To Win |last=Huxley|first=John|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=31 January 1995|page=4}}</ref> He was supported in his bid by former AMA president Bruce Shepherd, who served as his campaign treasurer. On 1 March 1995, at a Liberal gathering, he renounced his view that Labor governments had been better for Australia, and stated that he believed Medicare was unsustainable and that voluntary work programs for the unemployed would build self-esteem, and advocated a [[consumption tax]]. He also declared that he intended to be a high-profile member of Parliament, saying "if all I wanted to do was be a parliamentarian, a seat-warmer, I would have gone for a marginal seat."<ref name=dow_1mar95/><ref>{{cite news|title=Brendan struggles to get a half-Nelson on politics|last=Seccombe|first=Mike|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 May 1995|page=33}}</ref> A bitter preselection campaign ensued; and, on 13 May 1995, he gained the party's endorsement on a 96-to-93 vote, even though Connolly had the support of Liberal leader [[John Howard]] and deputy leader [[Peter Costello]]. Nelson claimed his win was "a victory for liberalism".<ref name=evolution/><ref>{{cite news|title=Nelson accuses his opponents of spreading rumours|last=Grattan|first=Michelle|date=8 May 1995|work=The Age|page=3}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=Nelson wins safe Lib seat|last=Daley|first=Paul|date=14 May 1995|work=Sunday Age|page=5}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=Editorial: An earthquake in Bradfield|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 May 1995|page=16}}</ref>

After the preselection, Nelson worked on an Aboriginal health program for the [[Cape York Peninsula]]; and, in June, following his retirement as president of the AMA, went to the slums of [[Nairobi]], Kenya, on behalf of [[World Vision]] to hear about that country's struggles with [[AIDS]], three months after losing his younger brother to the disease.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wounded Nelson counts the very visible cost of his battles|last=Lamont|first=Leonie|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 July 1995|page=6}}</ref>

On 14 July 1995, as master of ceremonies for a fundraising dinner supporting Howard, he was criticised for his risque humour concerning then-current entertainment and political events, not having realised that Lady Fairfax, Lady McMahon, and conservative business leaders were in the audience. The incident attracted considerable publicity and there were calls from inside the Liberal Party to reverse his preselection, but he was supported by key decision-makers including the president of the NSW Liberal Party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dr Nelson apologises to Libs for dirty jokes|last=Byrne|first=Andrew|date=15 July 1995|page=1|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=Nelson will keep seat&nbsp;– party chief|last=Grattan|first=Michelle|work=The Age|date=24 July 1995|page=6}}</ref>

===Member for Bradfield (1996–2009)===
[[File:Brendan John Nelson.jpg|thumb|left|Nelson shortly after his election to Parliament.]]
Nelson was elected to Parliament as expected at the [[1996 Australian federal election|federal election]] on 2 March 1996,<ref name="Nelson aph">{{cite Au Parliament |name=Hon Brendan Nelson MP |mpid=RW5 |access-date=2021-11-11}}</ref> at which the Keating government was defeated and John Howard became [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]. Although he suffered a tiny swing against him, he still took 64.7 percent of the primary vote and 75.8 percent after preferences were distributed. Nelson spent his first two terms as a government backbencher, while establishing himself as a leading member of the moderate, or "small-l liberal," wing of the Liberal Party.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

Nelson was a vocal opponent of the views of Independent MP [[Pauline Hanson]] following her maiden speech on 10 September 1996, challenging her to visit [[Palm Island, Queensland|Palm Island]] and other Aboriginal communities with him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanson goes even further out on a limb|last=Corbett|first=Bryce|date=19 September 1996|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|page=13}}</ref> On 6 October, he proposed a bipartisan condemnation of her statements along lines already suggested by Labor Opposition leader [[Kim Beazley]], saying that politicians had an obligation to show leadership on the issue.<ref>{{cite news|title=Howard rejects racism claim as McCarthyism|last=Chan|first=Gabrielle|work=[[The Australian]]|date=7 October 1996|page=4}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=PM challenged to take stand on racism|last=Chan|first=Gabrielle|work=The Australian|date=15 October 1996|page=2}}</ref> He questioned the Prime Minister, who offered to cooperate and negotiate, but indicated he would not support the Opposition's motion in full.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM offers to negotiate bipartisan race motion|last=Chan|first=Gabrielle|work=The Australian|date=16 October 1996|page=3}}</ref> On 19 October, Nelson said he believed the Government needed to more clearly repudiate Hanson's claims, and that she was "appealing to a primeval instinct" in her statements on Aboriginals and Asian migrants.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanson 'awakens base instincts'|last=Rees|first=Peter|work=[[The Sunday Telegraph]]|date=20 October 1996|page=15}}</ref> On 30 October 1996, a bipartisan motion on tolerance, nondiscriminatory immigration and Aboriginal reconciliation was moved and passed.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Ward |first= Ian |date=August 1997 |title= Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1996 |journal= Australian Journal of Politics and History |volume= 43 |issue= 2 |page= 216 |doi= 10.1111/j.1467-8497.1997.tb01389.x |issn=0004-9522}}</ref>

In December 1996, Liberal MP [[Kevin Andrews (politician)|Kevin Andrews]] raised a private members' bill to overturn the [[Northern Territory]]'s euthanasia legislation, which had been championed by Dr Philip Nitschke. Nelson, along with former New South Wales premier [[John Fahey (politician)|John Fahey]], were accused of convincing the son of the first man to die under the law, who had previously been a euthanasia advocate, to change his mind. The man, a branch secretary of a rural Liberal branch, ended up in hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown following the publicity surrounding the matter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Euthanasia about-turn by Liberal son|last=Middleton|first=Karen|work=The Age|date=4 December 1996|page=2}}<br/>* {{cite news|title=Nervous collapse hospitalises euthanasia son|work=The Australian|date=5 December 1996|page=3}}</ref> When the bill went through the House of Representatives on 10 December, Nelson was one of 88 MPs who voted for Andrews' bill on a conscience vote.<ref>Hansard; also, {{cite news|title=We cannot fight MPs' vote&nbsp;– Stone|last=Ceresa|first=Maria|work=The Australian|date=11 December 1996|page=2}}</ref> Nelson also had to apologise to Parliament in March 1997 when it was found that 11 parts of a speech he had given matched a paper on overseas doctors by immigration expert Bob Birrell of [[Monash University]] published the previous year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liberal apologises to the House|date=7 March 1997|work=The Age|last=Middleton|first=Karen}} Also {{cite news|title=Nelson says sorry over plagiarism|date=7 March 1997|work=The Australian|page=3}} The publication involved was {{cite journal|url=http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv4n3/birrell.htm |last=Birrell |first=Bob |year=1996 |title=Medical manpower: the continuing crisis |journal=People and Place |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=37–46 |issn=1039-4788 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913213151/http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv4n3/birrell.htm |archive-date=13 September 2009}}</ref>

Nelson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in 2001.<ref name="Nelson aph"/> In this role he directed the [[Mulwala]] ammunition factory to be decontaminated and decommissioned.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006/2007 (Vol. 1 - Dept of Defence), PP no. 89 of 2008 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1108183896 |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Trove |language=en}}</ref>

===Minister for Education, Science and Training (2001–2006)===
After the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 federal election]] he was promoted directly to Cabinet with the senior portfolio of [[Minister for Education (Australia)|Minister for Education, Science and Training]].<ref name="Nelson aph"/>  Despite Bradfield's long-standing status as a comfortably safe Liberal seat, Nelson was the first person to be promoted to cabinet while holding the seat.

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.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1469902.htm Nelson too chicken to face us, say students] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201180436/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1469902.htm |date=1 December 2007 }} ''[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]'', 28 September 2005</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/safety-fear-stops-nelson-talking-at-uni-again/2005/09/28/1127804511206.html 'Safety fear' stops Nelson talking at uni again], ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 28 September 2005</ref>

Nelson announced in August 2004 that public schools "must have a functioning flagpole, fly the Australian flag and display the values framework in a prominent place in the school."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vol. 85 No. 07 (9 Aug 2004) |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-685738704 |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Trove |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2004 |title=Joint Press Conference with Minister for Education, Science and Training Brendan Nelson Prime Minister's Courtyard Parliament House, Canberra |url=https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-21328 |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au }}</ref>

In 2005 Nelson expressed support for giving parents the option of having students exposed to the controversial subject of [[intelligent design]]. However he emphasised that [[evolution]] should always hold first place saying, "I'd be quite concerned if intelligent design were to replace evolution."<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/08/10/1123353386917.html 'Intelligent design' an option: Nelson], ''[[The Age]]'', 11 August 2005</ref> He later said intelligent design should only be taught in religion or philosophy classes.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/intelligent-design-not-science-experts/2005/10/20/1129775902661.html Intelligent design not science: experts], ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 21 October 2005</ref>

===Minister for Defence (2006–2007)===
[[Image:NelsonGates.jpg|thumb|Nelson with [[Robert Gates]] in August 2007]]
After his rapid promotion to Cabinet, Nelson was spoken of as a possible future Liberal leader.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} 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.<ref name="Nelson aph"/>

As Defence Minister, he made the controversial decision to purchase [[Boeing]]'s [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|Super Hornet]] aircraft instead of a fighter perceived by some to be more capable.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s2073943.htm 'Flying Blind'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925144139/http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s2073943.htm |date=25 September 2016 }}, ''[[Four Corners (Australian TV program)|Four Corners]]'', 29 October 2007</ref>
<!-- Prior to his election as leader of the opposition, John Stone, former Australian Treasury secretary, said of him: "He reminds me of [[Andrew Peacock]] without the substance."<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/look-left-look-right-look-/2007/11/30/1196394619997.html, 1 December 2007</ref> This section requires some context. The reference to Peacock will mean nothing to most people and as such, is not worthy of inclusion in the article. I've commented it out rather than delete it in case the person who added it wishes to expand on it (how exactly does he remind Stone of Peacock?) but until then it really means nothing. -->

===Leader of the Opposition (2007–2008)===
Following the defeat of the Howard government at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]], he was [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2007|elected Liberal party leader]] and therefore Leader of the Opposition, narrowly defeating [[Malcolm Turnbull]] in a 45 to 42 vote,<ref name="SMH_Nelson_wins"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/29/2105620.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720000841/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/29/2105620.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2012|title=Nelson dogged by Labor party past|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] News|date=29 November 2007}}</ref>

Nelson became the first person since [[Billy Snedden]] in 1972 to become Opposition Leader without prior experience in Opposition. Nelson also became the first Catholic to lead the Liberal Party.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080807073719/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C24091952-25090%2C00.html Holy oversight, Brendan: The Australian 29 July 2008]</ref>

Nelson was elected Liberal leader on 29 November, four days before the commission of the Howard government and hence his appointment as Defence Minister was terminated. This meant that technically he was both Liberal leader and Defence Minister in those four days.

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."<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22856091-2,00.html 'Nelson backs gay legal rights'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920125235/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22856091-2%2C00.html |date=20 September 2008 }}, ''Sunday [[Herald Sun]]'', 2 December 2007</ref>

Nelson declared that the Liberal Party had "listened and learned" from the Australian public on [[WorkChoices]].  He pronounced the program "dead," vowing it would never be resurrected as part of Coalition policy, and called on the Government to move quickly to introduce draft industrial relations legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/19/2123199.htm?section=justin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113215137/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/19/2123199.htm?section=justin |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2009 |title=Nelson declares WorkChoices dead |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 December 2007 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>
[[Image:2263391713 bde6dd94ee o.jpg|thumb|Crowds turn their backs part way through Brendan Nelson's [[Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples#Opposition leader's reply|reply]] to the [[Stolen generations#Australian federal parliament apology|Parliamentary apology]] for the [[stolen generations]] in February 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fury-over-nelsons-sorry-reply/2008/02/13/1202760367682.html |title=Fury over Nelson's 'sorry' response|work=[[The Age]] |date=13 February 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 }}</ref>]]

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.<ref name="SMH_division">{{cite news |first=Misha |last=Schubert |title=Liberal division grows on apology |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/liberal-division-grows-on-apology/2008/01/29/1201369135991.html |work=[[The Age]] |date=30 January 2008 |access-date=30 January 2008 }}</ref> In early February 2008, Nelson changed his stance, and declared that he supported the apology, first personally,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/howard-will-not-attend-apology/20080208-1qzm.html|title=Howard will not attend apology|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=8 February 2008|access-date=1 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415181353/http://news.smh.com.au/howard-will-not-attend-apology/20080208-1qzm.html|archive-date=15 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nelson-agrees-to-sorry/2008/02/06/1202233915448.html|title=Nelson agrees to 'sorry' |last=Coorey|first=Phillip|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 February 2008|access-date=1 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23186639-421,00.html |title=Nelson rubbishes 'sorry' switch claims |last=Milne |first=Glenn |work=[[The Australian]] |date=10 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212221926/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23186639-421%2C00.html |archive-date=12 February 2008}}</ref> then also on behalf of his party:
<blockquote>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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/07/2156526.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723174813/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/07/2156526.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 July 2012|title=Opposition joins rush to say sorry|last=Hoare|first=Daniel|work=ABC Online|date=7 February 2008|access-date=1 March 2012}}</ref></blockquote>

When a motion formally apologising to the Stolen Generations was put before the House on 13 February, Nelson voted in favour, as did all Coalition members present in the chamber.  However, seven members of Nelson's caucus—[[Peter Dutton]], [[Don Randall (politician)|Don Randall]], [[Sophie Mirabella]], [[Dennis Jensen]], [[Wilson Tuckey]], [[Luke Simpkins]] and [[Alby Schultz]]—were absent.  Before the vote, Nelson delivered a 20-minute speech endorsing the apology.  Nelson's endorsement triggered nationwide protests; several people watching the speech booed, jeered and turned their backs on him.<ref name="backturn">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fury-over-nelsons-sorry-reply/2008/02/13/1202760367682.html|title=Fury over Nelson's 'sorry' response|work=[[The Age]]|date=13 February 2008|access-date=1 March 2012}}</ref>

Nelson's leadership came under increased pressure in January 2008, after an MP shifted loyalties to Turnbull, and taking into consideration that former MP [[Dave Tollner]] had been allowed to vote in the initial contest, the leadership vote would now be deadlocked at 43–43.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23199904-421,00.html Nelson's leadership shaky as MPs shift loyalties] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214153851/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23199904-421%2C00.html |date=14 February 2008 }}, Dennis Shanahan, The Australian, 12 February 2008</ref> [[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 vote|two-party-preferred]] setting another Newspoll record at 37–63 percent.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/nelson-coalition-hit-all-time-low/story-e6frg6nf-1111115704272 |title=Brendan Nelson and Liberal-Nationals Coalition hit all-time low in Newspoll |last=Maiden |first=Samantha |work = [[The Australian]] |date= 3 March 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> Nelson responded by declaring himself the underdog.<ref>{{cite news |author=Samantha Maiden and Dennis Shanahan |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23315143-5013947,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215185806/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23315143-5013947,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 December 2012 |title=Nelson defends record low poll figures |publisher=[[The Australian]] |date=4 March 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 }}</ref> In response to increased speculation about his leadership Nelson commented in April that he "will keep fighting and standing up for everyday Australians.".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/national/nelson-vows-to-stay-on-as-liberal-leader-20080412-25ox.html |title=Nelson vows to stay on as Liberal leader |first=Kate |last=Lahey |work=[[The Age]] |date=12 April 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 }}</ref>

Nelson used his 2008 budget reply to declare the [[First Rudd government|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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Maiden |first=Samantha |url=http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23704787-14327,00.html |title=Nelson's Budget reply: slash petrol tax |publisher=News.com.au |date=15 May 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>

In May 2008, Nelson gave his approval to a [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|merger]] occurring between the Queensland Liberal Party and Queensland National Party.<ref>{{cite news |author=Greg Roberts |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23700860-2702,00.html |title=Nelson removes a merger caveat |publisher=[[The Australian]] |date=15 May 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121173047/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23700860-2702,00.html |archive-date=21 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24114354-662,00.html |title=Brendan Nelson's leadership is hanging by a thread: Herald Sun 2/8/2008 |publisher=News.com.au |date=2 August 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |archive-date=25 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925185043/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24114354-662,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24113967-421,00.html Look out Brendan, here comes the tap: NEWS.com.au 2/8/2008]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805143217/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C24113967-421%2C00.html |date=5 August 2008  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/national/libs-meet-amid-leadership-speculation-20080902-47cm.html |title=Libs meet amid leadership speculation: SMH 2/9/2008 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 September 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |first=Sandra |last=O'malley}}</ref> Costello stated he would not be making any move for the Liberal leadership,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2362067.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723151948/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2362067.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Costello clears the air over Liberal leadership: ABC News 11/9/2008 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=11 September 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> however media outlets capitalised on Costello's failure to categorically rule out any future leadership challenge.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Franklin |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24334535-5013871,00.html |title=Costello could stand at next election |work=The Australian |date=12 September 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915022539/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24334535-5013871,00.html |archive-date=15 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/costello-may-still-harbour-dream-of-being-pm-20080912-4f8m.html |title=Costello may still harbour dream of being PM: The age 12/9/2008 |work=The Age |date=12 September 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |location=Melbourne}}</ref>

Nelson suffered from another gaffe in August 2008, where he stated:

<blockquote>Peter's made his decision that he did not seek the leadership of the party. As I've said before, I'd be very happy if he changes his mind.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-absolutely-and-totally-support-nelson-says-feted-costello-20080830-gdssy1.html |title=I absolutely and totally support Nelson, says feted Costello |date=30 August 2008 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=2021-11-11}}</ref></blockquote>

He later attempted to clarify the comment in that he was referring to Costello staying in parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/national/nelson-would-be-very-happy-if-costello-seeks-leadership-20080829-45ja.html |title=Nelson would be 'very happy' if Costello seeks leadership: WA Today 29/8/2008 |publisher=Watoday.com.au |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24261642-601,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917183430/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C24897%2C24261642-601%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2008 |title=Nelson heightens leadership speculation |work=The Australian |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Dennis Shanahan|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24264599-2702,00.html |title=Brendan Nelson struggles to quell roll-over gaffe |work=The Australian |date=30 August 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407011255/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24264599-2702,00.html |archive-date=7 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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 [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2008|spill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/leadership-spill-nelson-draws-line-in-the-sand-20080915-4gzv.html |title=Leadership spill: Nelson draws 'line in the sand': The Age 15/8/2008 |work=The Age |date=15 September 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |location=Melbourne}}</ref> Nelson went to the backbench.

Turnbull and later Liberal leader Tony Abbott eventually became prime ministers and meant that Nelson (along with Peter Dutton) is one of only two 21st century Liberal leaders not to become Prime Minister.

===Resignation from politics===
On 16 February 2009, Nelson announced that he would retire from politics at the next federal election.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25064559-601,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217203015/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25064559-601%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2009 |title=Brendan Nelson announces he will quit politics at the next election |work=The Australian |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> On 25 August 2009, he announced that he would resign from Parliament in late September 2009.<ref name="retirement"/> Nearly two months later, Nelson officially resigned on 19 October 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/brendan-nelson-bows-out-of-bradfield-20091020-h5ur.html |title=Brendan Nelson bows out of Bradfield |work= The Age |access-date=6 February 2012}}</ref> triggering the [[2009 Bradfield by-election]]. He maintains an interest in Australian political life, recently speaking at a Liberal Party event in honour of Australia's first Indigenous Parliamentarian, Senator [[Neville Bonner]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napier-Raman |first=Noel Towell, Kishor |date=2022-09-21 |title=Out of the frying pan and into the fire? Soutphommasane's new job |url=https://www.theage.com.au/cbd/out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire-soutphommasane-s-new-job-20220921-p5bjxb.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Neville Bonner: A man of position and principle |url=https://www.menziesrc.org/news-feed/neville-bonner-a-man-of-position-and-principle |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Menzies Research Centre |date=30 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Post-political career==
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120426-D-0193C-003.jpg|thumb|Brendan Nelson, as Australia's ambassador to the European Union, speaks with U.S. Army Gen. [[Martin E. Dempsey]], chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a North Atlantic Council meeting in Brussels, April 26, 2012.]]

===Diplomatic appointments===
On 17 September 2009, [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Foreign Minister]] [[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]] appointed Nelson as the [[List of Australian Ambassadors to Belgium|Ambassador]] to [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], the [[European Union]], and [[NATO]],<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090917b.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403201832/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090917b.html|archive-date=3 April 2015|date=17 September 2009|first=Stephen|last=Smith|publisher=Australian Government|title=Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to the European Communities, Belgium and Luxembourg, Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Special Representative to the World Health Organization}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2689290.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=17 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502011548/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2689290.htm|archive-date=2 May 2015|title=Beazley, Nelson appointed to key diplomatic posts}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/be.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809073946/http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/be.html|archive-date=9 August 2010|title= Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO|author=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|publisher=Australian Government}}</ref> at the same time appointing former Federal Labor Leader Kim Beazley as the [[List of Australian Ambassadors to the United States|Australian Ambassador to the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090917.html|title= Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to the United States|author=Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] announced the appointments in Canberra the same day. Nelson accepted the appointment from his former rival and commended the decision to appoint Beazley as Ambassador to the US. Nelson said of both appointments, they "would be accepted across the political spectrum."<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |publisher=News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26086104-29277,00.html |title=Kim Beazley, Brendan Nelson new US, EU ambassadors |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=14 April 2013}}</ref>

===Director of the Australian War Memorial===
On 23 August 2012, the government announced Nelson's forthcoming appointment in the [[Australian Public Service]] as the new Director of the [[Australian War Memorial]] effective from 17 December 2012, succeeding Major General [[Steve Gower]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Australian War Memorial Director Appointed|url=http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2012/aug/va067.htm |publisher=The Hon [[Warren Snowdon]] MP|access-date=27 August 2012|date=23 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207214539/http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2012/aug/va067.htm|archive-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> In August 2019, Nelson announced that after seven years he would be stepping down as head of the Australian War Memorial.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=Australian War Memorial |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/media/press-releases/Dr-Nelson-Retirement |title=Australian War Memorial Director to retire from position |date=15 August 2019 }}</ref>

===Business appointments===
[[File:Ft KLIOWIAESeL-.jpg|thumb|Nelson meeting with [[Rahm Emanuel]] ([[U.S. ambassador to Japan]]) in 2023 during his tenure with Boeing]]

In February 2020, Nelson became the president of [[Boeing Australia]].<ref>[https://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/boeing-australia-appoints-brendan-nelson-president/ Boeing Australia appoints Brendan Nelson president] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120040454/https://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/boeing-australia-appoints-brendan-nelson-president/ |date=20 January 2020 }} ''Manufacturers Monthly'' 20 January 2020</ref> In December 2022, it was announced that effective January 12, 2023, Nelson would serve as the head of Boeing's international division.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liang |first1=John |title=Nelson named head of Boeing International {{!}} InsideDefense.com |url=https://insidedefense.com/insider/nelson-named-head-boeing-international#:~:text=Boeing%20announced%20it%20has%20named,council%2C%20according%20to%20a%20statement. |website=Inside Defense |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=December 5, 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nelson is married to Gillian, whom he married in 1999, raising her daughter together.<ref name="evolution" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Milne |first=Glenn |date=1 December 2007 |title=Liberal backflip on gay rights |work=[[The Courier Mail]] |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/liberal-backflip-on-gay-rights/news-story/efc7736300818af2e3e2a442979c3395}}</ref> He was previously married to Kate, a nurse. They married in 1983, were together 15 years, raising their twins, a son and daughter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-28 |title=Selling it like it is |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/selling-it-like-it-is-20040228-gdxedm.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> Whilst a student, he had been briefly married to his childhood sweetheart, Deanna.<ref name="evolution" />

In 1995, his brother, Philip, died after a long battle with AIDS.<ref name="evolution" />

Nelson's hobbies include playing guitar<ref>[http://www.brendannelson.com.au/Pages/Interests/Guitar.aspx Brendan Nelson's Interests&nbsp;– Playing the Guitar] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719082510/http://www.brendannelson.com.au/Pages/Interests/Guitar.aspx |date=19 July 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Franklin|first=Matthew|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23470267-5013871,00.html|title=Brendan on stairway to Kevin|work=The Australian|date=2 April 2008|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221941/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23470267-5013871,00.html|archive-date=25 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and riding motorcycles, a habit he began at 17 when he dropped out of an economics degree at the [[University of Adelaide]] and needed a cheap form of transport.<ref>[http://www.brendannelson.com.au/Pages/Interests/Motorcycles.aspx Brendan Nelson's Interests&nbsp;– Riding Motorcycles] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325003021/http://www.brendannelson.com.au/Pages/Interests/Motorcycles.aspx |date=25 March 2008 }}</ref>

In 2016 Nelson was appointed an [[Order of Australia|Officer of the Order of Australia]] in recognition for his distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to the community, to the advancement of Australia's international relations, and to major cultural institutions.<ref>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1152692 |date=26 January 2016 |recipient=The Honourable Dr Brendan John NELSON|award=Officer of the Order of Australia |postnominal=AO |citation=For distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to the community, to the advancement of Australia's international relations, and to major cultural institutions |postscript= |access-date=4 December 2022 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Brendan Nelson}}
{{OpenAustralia}}
*Nelson's sorry speech {{YouTube|ldzhzXffDxM|Part 1}} and {{YouTube|vvCypon4c7g|Part 2}}
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{{Liberal Party of Australia}}
{{Leaders of the Liberal Party of Australia}}
{{Boeing}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Brendan}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition (Australia)]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Bradfield]]
[[Category:Flinders University alumni]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of Australia to Belgium]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of Australia to the European Union]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of Australia to NATO]]
[[Category:Australian general practitioners]]
[[Category:Australian monarchists]]
[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of Australia to Luxembourg]]
[[Category:Ministers for defence of Australia]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Liberal Party of Australia]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Australian Medical Association]]
[[Category:Boeing people]]
[[Category:Australian War Memorial]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 1996–1998]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 1998–2001]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2001–2004]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2004–2007]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2007–2010]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian diplomats]]