Editing Brian Greig

{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1966)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = 
| name             = Brian Greig
| honorific-suffix = OAM
| image            = Greig portait.jpg
| caption          = 
| office           = [[Australian Democrats|Leader of the Australian Democrats]]<br />Interim
| deputy           = [[Aden Ridgeway]]
| term_start       = 22 August 2002
| term_end         = 5 October 2002
| predecessor      = [[Natasha Stott Despoja]]
| successor        = [[Andrew Bartlett]]
| office1          = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[Western Australia]]
| term_start1      = 1 July 1999
| term_end1        = 30 June 2005
| predecessor1     = [[Dee Margetts]]
| successor1       = [[Rachel Siewert]]
| birth_name       = Brian Andrew Greig
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1966|2|22}}
| birth_place      = [[Fremantle, Western Australia]], Australia
| death_date       = 
| death_place      = 
| spouse           = 
| partner          = Keith McKenzie<br />({{abbr|esp.|espoused}} 1986)
| party            = [[Australian Democrats|Democrat]]
| relations        = 
| children         = 
| residence        = 
| education        = [[Hale School]]
| alma_mater       = [[Murdoch University]]
| occupation       = [[Press secretary|Media officer]]<br />([[Self-employment|Self-employed]])
| profession       = [[Journalist]]<br />[[Politician]]
| religion         = 
| signature        = 
| website          = 
| footnotes        = 
}}
'''Brian Andrew Greig''' [[Order of Australia|OAM]] (born 22 February 1966) is a former Australian politician. Grieg was an [[Australian Democrats]] member of the [[Australian Senate]] from 1999 to 2005, representing the state of [[Western Australia]].

==Early life==
Greig was born in [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]], but his family moved to the small crayfishing village of [[Lancelin, Western Australia|Lancelin]] in 1970. He went to primary school there, but received secondary education as a boarder at  [[Hale School]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]. He studied Arts (English Literature) at [[Murdoch University]], where he became involved in student politics and editor of student newspaper ‘Metior’. He was elected to the Guild in 1988.

At university, Greig campaigned on the issue of student fees and, in 1986, helped re-establish the [[National Union of Students of Australia|National Union of Students]]. He also began to get involved in [[gay rights]] activism during the 1990s, and for several years was spokesperson for Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE), campaigning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, anti-discrimination protections and partnership recognition for same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/russias-antigay-laws-were-first-trialled-in-wa-says-oam-recipient-brian-greig-20140128-31kfn.html |title=Russia's anti-gay laws were first trialled in WA, says OAM recipient Brian Greig |last=Grieg |first=Brian |date=January 29, 2014 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215946/https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/russias-antigay-laws-were-first-trialled-in-wa-says-oam-recipient-brian-greig-20140128-31kfn.html |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Greig also helped establish the now defunct Australian Council for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1993, the first national lobby of its kind focused on discriminatory commonwealth laws. Campaigns included the successful lifting of the [[Sexual orientation and gender identity in the Australian military#Lifting the ban|homosexual ban in the military]], and recognition of same-sex partners' right to carer's and bereavement leave.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995 |title=Industrial Relations Act 1988 s.113 applications for variations |url=https://www.fwc.gov.au/waltzing-matilda-and-the-sunshine-harvester-factory/historical-material/personalcarer-s-leave-test |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603092110/https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/documents/education/resources/1995_printm6700.pdf |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live |work=[[Fair Work Commission]] }}</ref>

==Political career==
During the 1990s, Greig worked for a range of [[Australian Labor Party]] politicians, including Senator [[Peter Cook (Australian politician)|Peter Cook]], [[Diana Warnock]] MLA and Opposition Leaders Ian Taylor MLA and [[Carmen Lawrence|Dr Carmen Lawrence]] MLA, but became disillusioned with Labor and joined the Democrats. He cited Labor's ‘weak’ commitment to LGBTI reform and was attracted to the work in this area by Democrats [[Sid Spindler|Senator Sid Spindler]], at that time creating on a commonwealth Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Bill.     

Between 1995 and 1999, he was a local-government councillor in the [[City of Vincent]],<ref name=kirk>{{Cite web |last=Kirk|first=Emma| date=September 24, 2019 |title=Former senator Brian Greig runs for City of Busselton Council |url=https://www.busseltonmail.com.au/story/6402879/former-senator-brian-greig-runs-for-city-of-busselton-council/|work=Busselton-Dunsborough Mail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009104719/https://www.busseltonmail.com.au/story/6402879/former-senator-brian-greig-runs-for-city-of-busselton-council/ |archive-date=9 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> becoming the first openly gay person elected to public office in Western Australia.<ref name=croy/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.outinperth.com/looking-back-at-peter-nattrass-the-poofter-council-and-pride/ |title=Looking back at Peter Nattrass, the "Poofter Council" and Pride |last=Grieg |first=Brian |date=10 November 2020 |work=[[OutInPerth]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603020448/https://www.outinperth.com/looking-back-at-peter-nattrass-the-poofter-council-and-pride/ |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[1998 Australian federal election|October 1998 federal election]], aged 33, Greig was elected to the Senate. He used his maiden speech to acknowledge his homosexuality, highlight existing areas of discrimination and called for a range of national reforms in this area. It is considered to be the first time a federal politician had spoken so openly and strongly in favour of LGBTI rights,<ref name=croy/> and Grieg has been considered the first LGBTI rights activist elected to federal parliament.<ref name=young>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/western-australia/gay-marriage-wa-community-reacts-to-tony-abbott-trickery-20150812-gixca8.html |title=Gay marriage: WA community reacts to Tony Abbott trickery |last=Young |first=Emma |date=12 August 2015 |work=[[The Age]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213533/https://www.theage.com.au/national/western-australia/gay-marriage-wa-community-reacts-to-tony-abbott-trickery-20150812-gixca8.html |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2002, Greig became interim leader of the [[Australian Democrats]] for six weeks following the ousting of former leader [[Natasha Stott Despoja]] by senators including the party's deputy, [[Aden Ridgeway]]. Ridgeway was expected to become the interim leader, though Greig, a supporter of Despoja, made a late challenge appealing to the Democrats governing National Executive to appoint him instead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2002 |title=Ridgeway? No way, say Democrats |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/ridgeway-no-way-say-democrats-20020823-gdfkex.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603033527/https://www.smh.com.au/national/ridgeway-no-way-say-democrats-20020823-gdfkex.html |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Greig has been considered to be the first openly gay leader of an Australian political party.<ref name=star>{{cite web |url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/being-brian-greig/6407 |title=Being Brian Grieg |date=April 20, 2008 |work=[[Star Observer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213536/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/being-brian-greig/6407 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Greig was replaced in the resulting leadership ballot by [[Andrew Bartlett]] in October, 2002.

In the Senate, Greig had Democrat portfolio responsibilities for Attorney Generals, Justice and Customs; Family and Community Services; Transport; Resources; Fisheries; Disability and Sexuality Issues. He campaigned against internet censorship,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/technology/govt-trying-to-prevent-scrutiny-of-net-censorship-laws-20020724-gdfhap.html |title=Govt 'trying to prevent scrutiny of Net censorship laws' |date=24 July 2002 |work=[[The Age]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721200728/https://www.theage.com.au/technology/govt-trying-to-prevent-scrutiny-of-net-censorship-laws-20020724-gdfhap.html |archive-date=21 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and also served on the Joint Parliamentary Committee for the Australian Crime Commission and prompted it to investigate the trafficking of women into the Australian sex industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/senate/committee/acc_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/sexual_servitude/report/report.pdf |title=Inquiry into the trafficking of women for sexual servitude |date=2004 |work=[[Parliament of Australia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722130153/https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/senate/committee/acc_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/sexual_servitude/report/report.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Greig is mostly remembered for his pursuit of LGBTI issues, raising questions with Ministers, moving same-sex amendments to government legislation and triggering speeches from all parties on how to remedy commonwealth inequality against same-sex couples. In 2003, the conservative Howard Government which had opposed his agenda, reluctantly agreed to one of his campaigns and ended discrimination against same-sex couples in private sector Superannuation death benefits.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2003 |title=Gay hitch on super bill |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/gay-hitch-on-super-bill-20030918-gdwd1w.html |work=[[The Age]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603080507/https://www.theage.com.au/national/gay-hitch-on-super-bill-20030918-gdwd1w.html |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Along with Spindler's SOGI Bill, his advocacy across all areas of federal LGBTI discrimination has been credited with laying the foundations for the Rudd Government's ‘Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws General Law Reform) Bill 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws&mdash;General Law Reform) Bill 2008|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r3060|access-date=2021-06-01|website=www.aph.gov.au|language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2004, just prior to the election being called, Greig was one of only nine senators to vote against the ban on same-sex marriage by the Howard Government. That legislation triggered a movement for marriage equality that would last another 13 years. The ban was overturned in 2017 and Greig's pioneering speech and advocacy from 2004 was acknowledged by sitting senators and referenced in the media.<ref name=croy>{{Cite web |last=Croy |first=Liam |date=17 November 2017 |title=The day a gay WA polly took a stand in Parliament |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-politician-brian-greig-reflects-on-the-day-he-stood-up-for-gay-rights-in-australian-parliament-ng-b88662257z |work=[[The West Australian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907170020/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-politician-brian-greig-reflects-on-the-day-he-stood-up-for-gay-rights-in-australian-parliament-ng-b88662257z |archive-date=7 September 2018 |url-status=}}</ref>    

During his term in office, Greig introduced three Private Member's Bills — one to outlaw [[genocide]] in Australia, another to eliminate discrimination against LGBTI people, and another to promote government use of [[Open-source software|open source]] software. All were blocked by the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]–[[National Party of Australia|National]] government. Greig stood for re-election at the [[2004 Australian federal election|2004 election]], but lost his seat to [[Rachel Siewert]] of the [[Australian Greens]]. His term expired 30 June 2005.

==Post-political career==

Since leaving parliament, Greig has worked as a Communications Manager for the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia and in media operations for [[Anglicare]] WA and the [[Department of Fire and Emergency Services]]. He continues with social commentary in platforms such as [[On Line Opinion]] and [[Crikey]], as well as publishing articles in mainstream media including for ''[[The Age]]'' and ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/30/history-repeats-20-years-of-political-homophobia-from-the-religious-right |title=History repeats: 20 years of political homophobia from the religious right |last=Greig |first=Brian |date=30 March 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214509/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/30/history-repeats-20-years-of-political-homophobia-from-the-religious-right |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/opinion/opposing-gay-marriage-will-decide-the-prime-ministership-20150205-137ecd.html |title=Opposing gay marriage will decide the Prime Ministership |last=Greig |first=Brian |date=6 February 2015 |work=[[The Age]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603174138/https://www.theage.com.au/opinion/opposing-gay-marriage-will-decide-the-prime-ministership-20150205-137ecd.html |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Greig maintained his LGBTI advocacy, serving as the WA Representative to [[Australian Marriage Equality]] between 2013 and 2016 and is currently WA spokesperson for lobby group Just-Equal Australia. On 13 June 2011, Greig was awarded the [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] for service to the community as a social justice advocate for the gay and lesbian community.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-06-12|title=24 West Australians awarded honours|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-13/24-west-australians-awarded-honours/2756184|access-date=2021-06-01|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2019, Greig moved to [[Busselton]] WA. That year, he unsuccessfully stood for Busselton City Council in 2019.<ref name=kirk/> He is self-employed in consulting and works for the hospitality sector. He is chairperson of local LGBTI advocacy group Busselton Pride Alliance,<ref name=kirk/> and is also a founding member of the LGBTIQ advocacy group Just-Equal Australia.      

==References==
{{Portal|LGBTQ}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.equal.org.au/about Just-Equal Australia official website]
*[https://www.busseltonpridealliance.org.au/ Busselton Pride Alliance official website]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlGYFaN4TyM Video: Senator Brian Greig Maiden Parliament Speech 1999]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5USi6Wl-wtI Video: Senator Brian Greig Valedictory Parliament Speech 2005]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Greig, Brian}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Australian Democrats members of the Parliament of Australia]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Australian gay politicians]]
[[Category:Australian LGBTQ rights activists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Western Australian local councillors]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate for Western Australia]]
[[Category:People from Fremantle]]
[[Category:LGBTQ legislators in Australia]]
[[Category:People educated at Hale School]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Australian Democrats]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian LGBTQ people]]