In 1983, Austin switched to the National Party (along with Don Lane, who was the Transport Minister, after Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen lobbied several Liberals to cross the floor, thus enabling the National Party to form government with a very slim majority.
In 1987, Austin was one of three ministers who told Governor Walter Campbell that Bjelke-Petersen no longer had enough support to govern.
That was a precursor to the caucus coup that saw Bjelke-Petersen deposed as premier later that year.
Austin was subsequently implicated in the corruption being investigated by Fitzgerald Inquiry and was forced to retire in 1989.
[1][2][3] [4] He was convicted on 25 counts of misappropriating public funds, involving $8700 spent on private accommodation, travel and meals, and was sentenced to 15 months' jail.