Background
Austin was born in Riverton, Southland, in 1931.
Austin was born in Riverton, Southland, in 1931.
He received his education at Southland Technical College and Lincoln College. At the latter institution, he obtained a diploma in agriculture. In the 1975 election he was elected to Parliament as the National Party Member of Parliament for Awarua, which he represented until 1987.
In the 1994 New Year Honours, Austin was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community.