Ron Brunton

Dr Ron Brunton is an Australian anthropologist. He is currently the Director of "Encompass Research Pty Ltd" and was a Director of the Board of the public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for a five year term from 1 May 2003.

Prior to his appointment to the ABC Board, he was:
*a fortnightly columnist for "The Courier-Mail" from 1997 - 2003;
*a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs, a right wing think tank from 1995 - 2001, and
*a contributor to the conservative literary and political journal "Quadrant".

In his articles, Brunton has been highly critical of the "Bringing Them Home" report on the stolen generations. [ [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/1998/44.html Wootten, Hal (1998) 'Ron Brunton and Bringing Them Home', the Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission into the removal of Aboriginal children from ... "Indigenous Law Bulletin" 44; 4(12): 12-12] ] He has also written scathing criticisms of both the High Court's 1992 "Mabo v Queensland" decision and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. In addition, he enunciated the view that the "secret women's business" of the Ngarrindjeri women during the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy was a fabrication, and came to the defence of the murdered Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn who called on Muslim immigrants to assimilate into Dutch society and culture. Prior to his appointment to the Board he was a harsh critic of the ABC itself, accusing it of being part of the "left establishment" and of being a "sucker" for "brainless comment".

Brunton's appointment to the ABC Board by the Australian Government of John Howard [cite web
title = Anthropologist gets nod for ABC board
publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation News
date = 2 May 2003
url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/05/02/845928.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-11 ] created controversy with left-wing ABC supporters given his conservative views. [cite web
title = Media Release: The usual suspects - Dr Ron Brunton appointed to the ABC Board
publisher = Friends of the ABC
date = 2 May 2003
url = http://friendsoftheabc.org/suspects.htm
accessdate = 2006-12-03 ]

"Encompass Research Pty Ltd" is an organisation engaged in anthropological and socio-economic research, concentrating on native title, indigenous heritage, immigration and environmental issues.

Dr Brunton has published a range of research papers and books on anthropological issues and has lectured in anthropology at universities in Australia and at the University of Papua New Guinea. He has also stood as an expert witness in a number of native title court cases across Australia, having been engaged by parties involved in native title litigation.

References