United Australia Party Senator Brian Burston verbally attacks client of his drafting business
The only parliamentary representative of Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has verbally attacked a primary school teacher and the consumer tribunal that twice ruled for her over him.
Exclusive: The only parliamentary representative of Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has verbally attacked a primary school teacher and the consumer tribunal that twice ruled for her over him.
The company of Senator Brian Burston — a draftsman by trade who recently defected from One Nation to the UAP — got $3900 from Louise Keyter in 2015 to draw plans for a house in NSW’s Hunter Valley. Soon after he was elected to the upper house on Pauline Hanson’s ticket but his business continued.
Ms Keyter wrote to him in August 2017 trying to get the plans completed. He didn’t reply and the work was not completed. She filed proceedings in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in May last year and in August NCAT ruled Brian Burston and Associates owed her a refund because it hadn’t completed the plans on time.
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The senator appealed, alleging a miscarriage of justice.
In November he told NCAT’s appeal panel plans were provided that were suitable for submission to council at a meeting prior to lodgement of a development application although he conceded they weren’t ready to be lodged with a DA.
“Before us he stated that there were further reports to be gathered by Ms Keyter before the matter could be discussed with council at a pre-lodgement meeting and that he had done all that he could do up to that point,” the panel said in its reasons for decision. “Ms Keyter made the point that amendments requested by her had not been done. Mr Burston also offered for his twin brother to complete the work.”
The senator’s identical twin Graham Burston is a draftsman too and also recently left One Nation, telling News Corp Australia yesterday he was about to be endorsed as the UAP candidate for the lower house seat of Paterson.
Ms Keyter rejected Senator Burston’s offer and in the week before Christmas the appeal was dismissed and the original decision confirmed.
Senator Burston yesterday told News Corp Australia that NCAT was “clearly wrong” and his solicitor was preparing a further appeal to the Supreme Court.
He said he had drafted 11 versions of the plans for Ms Keyter.
“I spent over 18 months with this chick,” he said.
“I’ll take it to the Supreme Court.
“NCAT are profoundly biased against a non-consumer — profoundly.
“She won’t be recouping anything from me, that’s a guarantee.”
However, he later said he would refund Ms Keyter if he was unsuccessful in the Supreme Court.
Even before hearing Senator Burston’s comments, Ms Keyter described his behaviour as “astounding”.
“Someone who is supposed to represent the people of Australia should set a better example,” Ms Keyter said.
She said she had asked her lawyer to draft a letter of demand to be sent to Senator Burston and that her legal advice was he did not have the option to appeal further.
But consumer law expert Mike Daniel of Resolve Litigation said that option did exist.
Ms Keyter said she was disappointed by what Senator Burston said about her.
“I have paid for a service that has not been completed,” she said. “I would just like my money back as NCAT ruled.”
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