Bob Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Brown
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| Leader of the Australian Greens | |
| In office 28 November 2005 – 13 April 2012 |
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| Deputy | Christine Milne |
| Preceded by | No immediate predecessor |
| Succeeded by | Christine Milne |
| Leader of the Australian Greens in Tasmania |
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| In office 13 May 1992 – 13 March 1993 |
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| Deputy | Christine Milne |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Christine Milne |
| Senator for Tasmania | |
| In office 1 July 1996 – 15 June 2012 |
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| Succeeded by | Peter Whish-Wilson |
| Member of the Tasmanian Parliament for Denison |
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| In office 4 January 1983 – 12 February 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Norm Sanders |
| Succeeded by | Peg Putt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert James Brown
27 December 1944 Oberon, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Greens (since 1989) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (until 1989) |
| Domestic partner | Paul Thomas |
| Residences | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Education | Coffs Harbour High School Blacktown Boys High School |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | General practitioner (Self-employed) |
| Profession | Physician Politician |
| Website | bobbrown.org.au |
Robert James Brown (born 27 December 1944) is an Australian former politician, medical doctor, and environmentalist. He is widely known for his work protecting nature. Bob Brown was a senator and the leader of the Australian Greens political party.
He was first elected to the Australian Senate in 1996. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2007. While in the Tasmanian parliament, Brown helped protect many wilderness areas. He led the Australian Greens from 1992 until April 2012. During this time, the Greens party grew a lot. In October 2003, Brown gained international attention. He was briefly suspended from parliament for speaking out during a speech by United States President George W. Bush. Bob Brown retired from politics on 15 June 2012.
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Early Life and Education
Bob Brown was born in Oberon, New South Wales. He was one of two twins. He went to primary school in Trunkey. Later, he attended Coffs Harbour High School and Blacktown Boys High School. He was even elected as the school captain in his final year.
After high school, Brown studied medicine at the University of Sydney. He earned a degree to become a doctor.
Before Becoming a Politician
Brown worked as a doctor at the Royal Canberra Hospital. He also worked at hospitals in Darwin and Alice Springs. In 1970, he worked in London. He was on duty at St Mary Abbots Hospital when musician Jimi Hendrix was brought in. Brown later clarified that Hendrix was already deceased when he arrived.
In 1972, Brown moved to Tasmania and worked as a general practitioner in Launceston. He quickly became involved in the state's environmental movement. He helped campaign to save Lake Pedder. By 1972, he joined the United Tasmania Group. This was Australia's first "green" political party.
In 1976, he protested against a nuclear-powered warship. He fasted for a week on top of Mt Wellington.
Protecting Nature in Tasmania
In 1978, Brown became the director of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society. In the late 1970s, he led the fight to stop the Franklin Dam. This dam would have flooded the Franklin River valley for hydroelectricity. Brown was one of 1500 people arrested during these protests. He spent 19 days in Risdon Prison in Hobart.
On the day he was released in 1983, he became a member of Tasmania's parliament. He was elected to represent the area of Denison. The campaign to save the Franklin River was successful. The Federal government stepped in and protected the river in 1983.
During his first time in office, Brown suggested many new laws. These included laws for freedom of information and protecting animals. He also proposed banning semi-automatic guns in 1987. This was nine years before the Port Arthur massacre.
In 1989, the Greens won five seats in the Tasmanian parliament. Brown became their leader. They made an agreement with the Labor Party. This agreement helped protect national parks and improve transparency. However, this agreement ended in 1992 over forestry issues. In 1993, Brown left the Tasmanian parliament.
National Politics
Brown was elected to the Australian Senate for Tasmania in 1996. He often spoke out against the government of John Howard. He supported green issues and human rights. He also introduced bills to protect forests and stop radioactive waste dumping. He worked to ban mandatory sentencing for Aboriginal children.
In 2001, Brown was re-elected to the Senate with many more votes. He spoke strongly against Prime Minister John Howard's decision. This decision prevented 438 asylum seekers from landing on Christmas Island. These people had been rescued from a sinking boat.
Brown was very vocal against Australia joining the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He became a leading voice for the anti-war movement. When President Bush visited Canberra in 2003, Brown and Senator Kerry Nettle spoke out during his speech. They held signs about two Australian citizens held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Brown and Nettle were suspended from parliament for 24 hours. After the speech, Brown shook President Bush's hand.
In 2004, Brown opposed changes to the Marriage Act. He believed that gay marriages should be accepted.
In December 2004, a forestry company tried to sue Brown. They claimed he caused damage to their business. The company eventually dropped all claims against Brown in 2006.
Brown was officially elected as the first Federal Parliamentary Leader of The Greens on 28 November 2005. He had been the unofficial leader for almost ten years.
In 2007, Brown suggested a plan to eventually ban coal exports. This idea was criticized by some media and political parties. Brown was re-elected in the 2007 federal election. He urged the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to set goals for carbon emissions.
In 2005, Brown took legal action against Forestry Tasmania. He wanted to protect Tasmania's Wielangta forest from logging. He argued that logging threatened endangered species like the Swift parrot. A judge initially ruled in Brown's favor. However, the decision was later overturned on appeal. Brown was ordered to pay a large sum of money. Over 1,000 donors helped him pay his legal bill.
In 2011, after the 2010–11 Queensland floods, Brown suggested that part of a mining tax should go to future natural disasters. He linked the floods to climate change and the mining industry.
In March 2012, Brown spoke about protecting the Earth for future generations. He suggested the idea of a "global parliament." This idea was met with a standing ovation.
Leaving Greens Leadership
On 13 April 2012, Bob Brown announced he would step down as leader of the Greens. He also said he would leave the Senate in June. His deputy, Christine Milne, became the new Greens leader. Adam Bandt became the deputy leader. Peter Whish-Wilson took Brown's place in the Senate. Brown officially resigned on 15 June 2012.
Bush Heritage Australia
In 1990, Brown founded the Australian Bush Heritage Fund. This is now called Bush Heritage Australia. It is a non-profit group that buys and protects Australian bushland. He was the president of this organization until 1996. In 2011, Brown donated a property he had owned for 38 years to Bush Heritage Australia. This property is in the Liffey Valley in Tasmania.
Bob Brown Foundation
Brown created the Bob Brown Foundation with his partner, Paul Thomas. The foundation aims to promote environmental awareness. It gives out awards to environmental activists. In 2012, Daniel Spencer received the Young Environmentalist of the Year award. Jenny Weber was named Environmentalist of the Year. Other award winners include Miranda Gibson and Drew Hutton.
Other Activities
Brown supports the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. This group wants to make the United Nations more democratic.
Brown has spoken at several concerts and rallies. These events often protest against industrial projects that could harm the environment. For example, he spoke at the Save the Kimberley concert in 2012. This concert protested a proposed gas refinery in Western Australia.
In 2013, Brown became a director of the Australian chapter of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. This is a non-profit group that works to protect marine life. He stepped down from this role in 2014.
In 2016, Brown was arrested for protesting logging in Tasmania's Lapoinya Forest. He and another protester challenged the charges in the High Court. In 2017, the High Court ruled that the laws used to charge them were unconstitutional. This was because they limited political communication.
In 2016, Brown joined the crew of the Steve Irwin ship. This was part of a campaign against proposed drilling in the Great Australian Bight. In 2019, Brown led a convoy to protest the proposed Carmichael coal mine. In July 2019, he also expressed concerns about a large wind farm in Northern Tasmania. He worried about its impact on bird species.
Recognition and Awards
In July 2012, Brown was honored at Coffs Harbour High School. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame.
Brown has received many awards for his work:
- The Australian newspaper 'Australian of the Year' (1983)
- IUCN Packard Award (1984)
- UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour (1987)
- Goldman Environmental Prize (1990)
- MAPW Distinguished Physician Award (1990)
- BBC Wildlife magazine 'World's Most Inspiring Politician' (1996)
- National Trust Australian National Treasure (1998)
- Rainforest Action Network Environmental Hero (2006)
- Australian Peace Prize (2009)
- Australian Humanist of the Year (2010)
Personal Life
Bob Brown lives in Eggs and Bacon Bay, Tasmania. He lives with his long-time partner, Paul Thomas. Paul is a farmer and activist.
Brown has described himself as a "lapsed Presbyterian".
In an interview, Nigel Brennan shared a story about Bob Brown. Brennan was an Australian photojournalist held hostage in Somalia. Brown contributed $100,000 of his own money to help pay the ransom for Brennan's release. He also asked businessman Dick Smith to help.
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See also
In Spanish: Bob Brown (político) para niños
