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{{Short description|Australian lawyer, author, and politician (born 1977)}}
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| name = Hajnal Ban
[[Image:Hajnal Ban.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Hajnal Ban]]
| image = Hajnal Ban.jpg
'''Hajnal Ban''' (born 3 November 1977) is a [[Barrister|Barrister-at-Law]] (Lawyer), author and Australian conservative politician. She is currently a councillor for [http://http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/LCC/council/councillors/localcouncillors/division11.htm Logan City Council], elected March 15, 2008 and before that a councillor for the now defunct [[Shire of Beaudesert|Beaudesert Shire Council]] from March 27, 2004. She was an unsuccessful [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] candidate for the federal seat of [[Division of Forde|Forde]], south of Brisbane, at the 2007 federal election.
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| pseudonym = Sara Vornamen
| birth_name = Hajnal Ban
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|11|3}}
| birth_place = [[Afula]], [[Israel]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Barrister, author, politician
| nationality = Australian
| citizenship = Australian
| education = BIntBus, LLB
| alma_mater = [[Griffith University]]
| notableworks = ''God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall''
| spouse = Sean Black (2010 - 2012)
| partner =
| children = Dominic, Elijah (step-children)
| awards =
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110917164023/http://www.hajnalban.com/ hajnalban.com]
| portaldisp =
}}


'''Hajnal Ban''' (also known as '''Hajnal Black''') is an Australian lawyer, author, and former conservative politician, who was convicted of charges that prevented her being elected to public office between 2012 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hajnal-black-found-guilty/story-e6freoof-1226311101288|title=Hajnal Black fined $5000 after being found guilty of four charges relating to pecuniary interests|last=Baskin|first=Brooke|date=27 March 2012|work=couriermail.com.au|accessdate=20 July 2012}}</ref>
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=== Early Life ===


She was elected on 15 March 2008 a councillor for [[Logan City]] but was disqualified from 27 March 2012. Previously she was a councillor for the (now defunct) [[Shire of Beaudesert|Beaudesert Shire]] Council from 27 March 2004. She was an unsuccessful [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] candidate for the federal seat of [[Division of Forde|Forde]], south of [[Brisbane]], at the 2007 federal election. She won [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National Party]] selection for the newly created federal seat of [[Division of Wright|Wright]] in November 2009, but subsequently lost endorsement following allegations she mismanaged the funds of a 65-year-old man.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hajnal-bans-federal-election-bid-in-doubt-after-funds-allegations/story-e6freoof-1225876663785|title=Hajnal Ban's federal election bid in doubt after funds allegations|last=Sandy|first=Alison|author2=Chalmers, Emma|date=7 June 2010|work=couriermail.com.au|accessdate=7 June 2010}}</ref>
Hajnal Ban was born [[Afula]], [[Israel]], to [[Hungary|Hungarian]] parents. Hajnal Ban speaks fluent Hungarian, as this is the primary language in her home, and English. Her grandfather was an Eastern European Jewish holocaust survivor, and moved the family to Israel in 1976 to escape communism. The family moved to [[Austria]] in 1980 and then immigrated to [[Logan City Council|Logan City]], south of [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]] in 1983. On gaining pre-selection for a Federal seat, Hajnal Ban reluctantly relinquished her Israeli citizenship as [[Section 44 of the Australian Constitution]] forbids the election of people holding dual citizenship to its parliament.


In 2002, she underwent surgery to increase the length of each of her legs by 8&nbsp;cm. She published her experiences in the book ''God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall'' under the [[pseudonym]] Sara Vornamen. She also released a book called ''Her Secret''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.borders.com.au/book/hajnal-ban-her-secret/7452437/ |title=Buy Hajnal Ban Her Secret Book by Hajnal Ban (9780980681321) at Borders with free shipping |website=www.borders.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317031037/http://www.borders.com.au/book/hajnal-ban-her-secret/7452437/ |archive-date=2012-03-17}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hajnalban.com/node/22 |title=HajnalBan.com |accessdate=2011-05-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323130817/http://www.hajnalban.com/node/22 |archivedate=23 March 2012}}</ref>
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=== Education ===


⚫
== Early life ==
Hajnal Ban was educated at [[Marsden, Queensland|Marsden]] Primary School and then Marsden State High School, graduating in 1995. After high school she gained admittance to [[Griffith University|Griffith University's]] [[Griffith Law School|law school]] and completed a double degree in Law and International Business. After completing her degrees in 2000 Hajnal Ban immediately completed the necessary requirements to be admitted as a Barrister-at-Law in 2001.
Ban was born in [[Afula]], [[Israel]], to [[Hungary|Hungarian]] parents.<ref>Vornamen, Sara (Hajnal Ban's pen name)(2003) ''God made small, surgery made me tall''. Vornamen Enterprises</ref> Ban's grandfather was an Eastern European [[Judaism|Jewish]] [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] survivor who moved the family to Israel in 1976 to escape communism.<ref name="Laszlo">Laszlo, Dr Tanka (editor) (2005) [https://www.antikvarium.hu/konyv/andrasi-gabriella-baba-szilvia-ausztralia-es-uj-zeland-magyar-vilaga-515199 ''Ausztralia es Uj-Zealand Magyar Vilaga (in English - Hungarians in the Australian and New Zealand part of the world)'']. Panorama könyvek (in English - Panorama Books), pg 34 article titled ''Ban, Hajnal - Kepviselo, jogasz (in English political/representative)'' and ''Szeret masokon segiteni (in English - She likes to help others)''. This is a Hungarian written A-Z of ''notable'' Hungarians from around the world. This edition is for the Australia/New Zealand region {{ISBN|963-86689-0-3}}</ref> The family moved to [[Austria]] in 1980 and then immigrated to [[Logan City]], south of [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]] in 1983. On gaining pre-selection for a federal seat, Ban relinquished her Israeli citizenship as [[Section 44 of the Australian Constitution]] forbids the election of people holding dual citizenship.


⚫
== Education ==
=== Leg lengthening surgery ===
Ban was educated at [[Marsden, Queensland|Marsden]] Primary School and then [[Marsden State High School]] in [[Logan City]], graduating in 1995.


After high school she entered [[Griffith University|Griffith University's]] [[Griffith Law School|law school]] and obtained degrees in Law and International Business. Ban was then admitted as a Barrister-at-Law in 2001.<ref name="Laszlo"/>
In 2002 Hajnal Ban undertook radical cosmetic surgery to gain 8 cm of height. She travelled to the Russian [[Ilizarov apparatus#History|Ilizarov]] Scientific Centre for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics in Kurgan, [[Russia]] where she was operated on by Dr Constantine Novikov.
⚫
Over a period of 5 months Hajnal Ban was bed ridden as her legs were lengthened. The process of lengthening took 12 months. She returned to Australia and talked to the media about her operation under the pseudonym Sara Vornamen in an attempt to hide her identity. Under the name 'Sara Vornamen' Hajnal Ban wrote a book about her surgery, 'God made me small, Surgery made me Tall'.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/big-op-overcomes-small-anxiety-siberian-surgeons-add-8cms-20090429-amfy.html?page=-1|title=Big op overcomes small anxiety: Siberian surgeons add 8cms|last=Calligeros|first=Marissa |date=April 29, 2009|work=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Mad-Mad-World/God-made-me-small-surgery-made-me-tall/articleshow/4467545.cms|title=God made me small, surgery made me tall|date=30 April 2009|work=Times of India|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref>


⚫
== Political career ==
Brisbane's [[The Courier-Mail|Courier-Mail]] revealed in April 2009 that Hajnal Ban was actually Sara Vornamen. Since that time Hajnal Ban has received world wide attention for her surgery.
=== 2004–2008, Shire of Beaudesert Council ===
Ban was first elected as Councillor for Division 4 in the (now defunct) Shire of Beaudesert on 27 March 2004 at the age of 26, when she significantly out-polled her four male opponents.<ref>Flack, Mark (26 October 2007). ''Ban believes people contact is key to electoral success''. Albert and Logan News, p. 14</ref> She was the youngest-ever councillor to be elected in the shire and the only barrister. She was elected as an independent and had no previous political party affiliation, but joined the National Party in 2006.


⚫
She was chairperson of the Shire's Planning and Development Committee from April 2004 to December 2005, when she was removed from the post, in a move spearheaded by Councillor John Fronis, over her opposition to the State's decision to designate the North McLean Enterprise Precinct in the [[South East Queensland]] Regional Plan, which would have placed heavy industry in the middle of her rural-residential division.<ref>Waters, Brenton (12 December 2005) ''Ban-ished!''. Jimboomba Times, pg 5</ref>
⚫
=== Political career ===


==== 2004 - 2008 ====
=== 2007 federal election ===
In the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]], Ban stood as the National Party candidate for the seat of Forde.<ref>Jacobson, Michael (10–11 November 2007) "Long-standing MPs to sit out". Weekend Bulletin, pg 58</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/happy-national-breaks-the-mould/2006/10/25/1161749190650.html|title=Happy National breaks the mould|last=Coorey|first=Phillip |date=26 October 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2009-06-01}}</ref> Although she worked hard at her campaign<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22794635-5006786,00.html|title=Libs lose faith and turn to Nats|last=McKenna|first=Michael|date=21 November 2007|work=The Australian|accessdate=2009-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123135843/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22794635-5006786,00.html|archive-date=23 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was credited with achieving a larger than expected swing, Ban only achieved 12.2% of the primary vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-162.htm|title=House of Representatives - Forde (2007 general election)|date=11 December 2007|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> The voter base in the Forde electorate is heavily urban, so it was always unlikely the electorate would have voted for a National Party candidate over its urban conservative sister party, the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberals]].


=== 2008 local government elections ===
⚫
Hajnal Ban was first elected as Councillor for Division 4 in the former Beaudesert Shire on March 27, 2004 at the age of 26. She was the youngest ever councillor to be elected in the shire and the only Barrister. She was elected to council as an independent and had no previous political party affiliation. She joined the National Party in 2006. She was Chairperson of the Shire's Planning and Development Committee from April 2004, until December 2005 when she was removed from the post, a move spearheaded by Councillor John Fronis, over her passionate opposition to the State's decision to designate the North McLean Enterprise Precinct in the [[South East Queensland]] Regional Plan, which would have placed heavy industry in the middle of her rural residential electorate.
⚫
In July 2007, the Queensland [[Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch)|Labor]] [[Government of Queensland|Government]] announced widespread [[Local Government Reform Commission|reform to local government]]. The major reform was to amalgamate many councils, and Beaudesert was included in the process. Half the Shire was amalgamated with the [[Shire of Boonah]] to create the [[Scenic Rim Region]] while the other half was amalgamated with Logan City. Ban's entire division was in the area to be amalgamated into Logan City. Her division underwent significant change when it was merged with the neighbouring Division 5 (held by John Fronis, a Labor councillor) to form the new Logan City Division 11. Fronis and Ban subsequently contested the new division at the March 2008 elections, with Ban winning convincingly, even in areas where the Labor vote at state and federal elections had historically been high. Ban achieved 66.06% of the [[two-party-preferred vote|two-candidate-preferred vote]] to Fronis' 33.94%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/lg2008/LoganCity/results/councillor/booth11.html|title=2008 Logan City - Councillor Election - Division 11|date=7 April 2008|publisher=Electoral Commission of Queensland|accessdate=2009-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913233533/https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/lg2008/LoganCity/results/councillor/booth11.html|archive-date=13 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==== Federal election ====
=== Post-2008 election ===
⚫
After her election to Logan City Council, Ban was elected chairperson of the Community, Sport and Customer Services Committee, but was removed from the position in May 2009, and replaced by a neighbouring urban-based councillor, Phil Pidgeon, because of her strong and somewhat outspoken advocacy for the amalgamated areas she represents.<ref>Fraser, Kelmeny (24 May 2009) ''Council bars rebels''. The Sunday Mail, pg 39</ref>


In late 2008, Ban formed an alliance with Sean Black, the only other rural-based councillor, and together they advocated strongly for their similar constituencies. Ban and Black married in 2010.
In November 2007 Hajnal Ban stood as the National Party candidate for the Federal seat of Forde. Although she worked hard at her campaign and was credited with achieving a larger then expected swing, Hajnal Ban only achieved 12.2% of the primary vote <ref> [http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-162.htm see election results here]</ref> . The Forde electorate's voter base is heavily urban, so it was always unlikely the electorate would have voted for a National Party candidate over their urban Conservative sister party, the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberals]].


==== 2008 Local Government Elections ====
=== 2010 LNP candidacy for Division of Wright ===
After questions were raised by Queensland’s Adult Guardian about Ban's administration of an elderly man’s [[Estate (law)|estate]], the Liberal National Party revoked its endorsement of her as the candidate for the federal [[division of Wright]] on 7 June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maizey|first=Judith|title=Hajnal Ban dropped by LNP|url=http://albert-and-logan.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hajnal-ban-dropped-by-lnp/|accessdate=8 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611155944/http://albert-and-logan.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hajnal-ban-dropped-by-lnp|archive-date=11 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The LNP claimed the Adult Guardian’s questions were never disclosed in her vetting committee. Ban voluntarily surrendered her power of attorney on 2 July 2010, after which proceedings in the [[Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal]] were ceased.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/state-politics/ban-attacks-lnp-over-guardian-case/story-e6frgczx-1225888235879|title=Ban attacks LNP over guardian case|last=Barrett|first=Rosanne|date=6 July 2010|publisher = [[The Australian]]|accessdate=6 July 2010}}</ref>


Ban claimed the LNP disendorsed her pre-selection because men in the LNP hierarchy were never comfortable with a woman being pre-selected in a winnable seat.<ref>Fraser, Kelmeny (4 July 2010). "Dumped for being a woman, says Hajnal". ''The Sunday Mail'' (News Ltd), p. 10</ref>
⚫
In July 2007 the Queensland [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] [[Government of Queensland|Government]] announced widespread [[Local Government Reform Commission|reform to local government]]. The major reform was to amalgamate many councils, and Beaudesert was included in the process. Half of the Shire was amalgamated with [[Boonah Shire]] to create the [[Scenic Rim Regional Council]] while the other half was amalgamated with Logan City Council. Hajnal Ban's entire electorate was in the transferring area to be amalgamated into Logan City. Her division underwent significant change as it was merged with the neighbouring Division 5 to form the new Logan City Council Division 11. Councillor John Fronis held Division 5. John Fronis and Hajnal Ban were subsequently pit against each other at the March 2008 elections. Hajnal Ban won the ensuing election convincingly, even beating John Fronis in the parts of the new division which were once his old division 5. Hajnal Ban achieved 66.06% of the two-candidate-preferred vote to John Fronis' 33.94% <ref>[http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/lg2008/LoganCity/results/councillor/booth11.html see election results here]</ref>.


==== Post 2008 election ====
=== 2012 Logan City Council election ===
Ban originally nominated to run again as councillor for Division 11, but several weeks prior to the election she withdrew from the contest.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bayfield|first=Jessica|title=Hajnal Black bows out of Logan City Council election race in Division 11|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/hajnal-black-bows-out-of-logan-city-council-election-race-in-division-11/story-fn8m0u8i-1226332903015|accessdate=28 April 2013|newspaper=couriermail.com.au|date=20 April 2012|author2=Hunter-Nolan, Lesley}}</ref>


=== Policies on gaming machines ===
⚫
After her election to Logan City Council Hajnal Ban was elected Chairperson of the Community, Sport and Customer Services Committee but was removed from this position in May 2009 and replaced by a neighbouring councillor, Phil Pidgeon because of her strong and somewhat outspoken advocacy for the amalgamated areas she represents.
Ban is an anti-[[slot machine|pokies]] campaigner and continues to advocate for the reduction in the number of gaming machines within the Logan City local government area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://logan-west-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/ban-moves-on-greenbank-tavern-pokie-plan/|last=Maizey|first=Judith|title=Ban moves on Greenbank Tavern pokie plan|date=16 June 2009|work=Albert & Logan News|accessdate=2009-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023043138/http://logan-west-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/ban-moves-on-greenbank-tavern-pokie-plan/|archive-date=23 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ban voted in several ballots to remove Deputy Mayor of Logan, Russell Lutton, who is a pro-pokies councillor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lions-slot-new-venue-into-queenslands-poker-machine-capital-20090429-anaq.html|last=Barrett|first=Chris|title=Lions slot new venue into Queensland's poker machine capital|date=29 April 2009|work=Brisbanetimes.com.au|accessdate=2010-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://albert-and-logan.whereilive.com.au/news/story/council-out-on-a-limb/|last=Helbig|first=Koren|title=Council out on limb|date=1 May 2009|work=Albert & Logan News|accessdate=2009-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113356/http://albert-and-logan.whereilive.com.au/news/story/council-out-on-a-limb/|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/LCC/logan/news/Current/N090316decisionisaboutgivingresidents.htm|last=Lutton|first=Russell|title=Decision is about giving residents a choice|date=16 March 2009|work=Logan City press release obtained from LCC website|accessdate=2010-02-03}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25138847-952,00.html |last=Davies |first=Hannah |title=Logan City moves to ban poker machines |date=4 March 2009 |work=Courier Mail |accessdate=2010-02-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424013318/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25138847-952,00.html |archivedate=24 April 2009 }}</ref> Lutton has since fought back criticising Ban.<ref name="Calligeros -1">{{cite news|last=Calligeros|first=Marissa|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/big-op-overcomes-small-anxiety-siberian-surgeons-add-8cms-20090429-amfy.html?page=-1|title=Big op overcomes small anxiety: Siberian surgeons add 8&nbsp;cm [sic]|date=29 April 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref><ref>Robertson, Josh (5 May 2009) ''Tall tales at Logan circus''. The Courier-Mail, pg 38</ref>


=== Future ambitions ===
== Criminal charges ==
In November 2011, Ban (then known as Hajnal Black) faced criminal charges for allegedly breaching local government financial disclosure laws. In December 2011, a Brisbane judge found she had failed to act properly on behalf of a dementia patient after the sale of his Park Ridge property south of Brisbane. The funds from the sale had been transferred into Ban's own bank account instead of being held in a separate trust account.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-07/court-rules-against-councillor-in-2413m-dispute/3718778|title=Court rules against councillor in $1.3m dispute|publisher=ABC Online|date=7 December 2011}}</ref> Ban lodged an appeal against the decision of the [[Supreme Court of Queensland|Supreme Court]] in January 2012. In March 2012, she had two warrants issued for her arrest, for ignoring one court date and storming out of another.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hajnal-black-diagnosed-with-laryngitis-as-warrant-for-her-arrest-remains-active/story-e6freoof-1226304034309|title=Hajnal Black on move to Brisbane Court of Appeal as warrant for her arrest remains active|work=Courier Mail|date=19 March 2012}}</ref> On 27 March 2012 she was found guilty on four of the five charges, fined $3500 and ordered to pay costs of $5000, and had a conviction recorded.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hajnal-black-found-guilty/story-e6freoof-1226311101288|title=Hajnal Black found guilty|work=Courier Mail|date=27 March 2012}}</ref> In September 2012 the judge ruled she was only entitled to $40,000 of the $700,000 she took.<ref>{{cite news|last=Keim|first=Tony|title=Hajnal Ban took $660,000 she was not entitled to, judge finds|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/hajnal-ban-spent-660000-she-was-not-entitled-to-judge-finds/story-fndo45r1-1226467200292|accessdate=28 April 2013|newspaper=heraldsun.com.au|date=7 September 2013}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
Hajnal Ban was rumoured to be interested in contending the National Party held seat of [[Electoral district of Beaudesert|Beaudesert]] at the announcement of the retirement of long time member [[Kev Lingard]] but ruled out running as she held the belief that state governments should be abolished. When the National and Liberal Parties merged in June 2008, Hajnal Ban became a member of the new [[Liberal National Party of Queensland]].
Ban was mentored by Brisbane barrister and businessman Russell Tacon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/hajnal-ban-says-she-owes-it-all-to-mentor-russell-tacon/story-e6freq7o-1225875670155|title=Hajnal Ban says she owes it all to mentor Russell Tacon|date=4 June 2010|work=The Courier Mail|accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> On 30 May 2010, Ban married Logan City Councillor Sean Black,<ref>{{cite news|last=Sandy|first=Alison|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hajnal-ban-sean-black-marry-in-mt-tambourine-ceremony/story-e6freoof-1225873200589|title=Hajnal Ban, Sean Black marry in Mt Tamborine ceremony|date=30 May 2010|work=The Courier-Mail|accessdate=2010-06-01}}</ref> who had acted as her campaign manager. She was known as '''Hajnal Black''' until they separated in mid-2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/former-logan-city-councillor-hajnal-ban-back-in-court-to-defend-spend/story-e6freon6-1226430687949|title=Former Logan City councillor Hajnal Ban back in court to defend spend|date=20 July 2012|publisher=Courier-Mail}}</ref>


⚫
In 2002 Ban undertook radical cosmetic surgery to gain 8&nbsp;cm of height. She travelled to the [[Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics]] in [[Kurgan, Kurgan Oblast|Kurgan]], Russia where she was operated on by Dr Constantine Novikov.<ref>Vornamen, Sara (Hajnal Ban's pen name)(2003) ''God made small, surgery made me tall''. Vornamen Enterprises, pg 19</ref><ref>[[Who (magazine)|Who]] (18 May 2009) ''Extreme measures''. Pacific Magazines, pg 24</ref> Over a period of 5 months Ban was bedridden as her legs were lengthened. The process of lengthening took 12 months. She returned to Australia and talked to the media about her operation under the pseudonym Sara Vornamen in an attempt to hide her identity. Under the name 'Sara Vornamen' Ban wrote a book about her surgery, ''God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall''.<ref name="Calligeros -1" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Mad-Mad-World/God-made-me-small-surgery-made-me-tall/articleshow/4467545.cms|title=God made me small, surgery made me tall|date=30 April 2009|work=The Times of India|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref>
Hajnal Ban remains tight-lipped about another tilt at the Federal Seat of [[Forde]]. With the recent merger, the seat of Forde (which was once considered as a Liberal Party seat) is now firmly in the hands of the members of the former National Party making Ban's run for preselection far easier should she decide to run.


Brisbane's [[The Courier-Mail|Courier-Mail]] revealed in April 2009 that Sara Vornamen was actually Ban.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sandy|first=Alison|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25399893-23272,00.html|title=Hajnal Ban has legs broken to be 8&nbsp;cm taller|date=29 April 2009|work=The Courier-Mail|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref> Since that time Ban has received worldwide attention for her surgery<ref>{{cite news|last=Tedmanson|first=Sophie|url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article6196646.ece|title=Australian councillor, Hajnal Ban, has legs broken to become taller|date=1 May 2009|work=Times Online|accessdate=2009-05-31|location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and has been a commentator on issues from sex discrimination to extra airline charges.<ref>Robertson, Josh (23 May 2009) ''Giving hot girls a leg up''. The Courier Mail, pg 72</ref>
She has recently announced via her [http://www.hajnalban.com/ website] that she plans to re-write her original book and title it Her Secret.

== See also ==
* [[List of Australian criminals#Fraudsters|List of Australian fraudsters]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.hajnalban.com/ Hajnal Ban] Official site.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090608070740/http://www.hajnalban.com/ Hajnal Ban official site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160128041929/https://twitter.com/hajnalblack Hajnal Black nee Ban official Twitter]
*[http://www.in.com/videos/watchvideo-adventures-of-hajnal-ban-3216765.html The Adventures of Hajnal Ban (video)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001201006/http://www.in.com/videos/watchvideo-adventures-of-hajnal-ban-3216765.html |date=1 October 2009 }}
*[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/gallery/0,23816,5038739-17382-1,00.html Hajnal Ban photo gallery]
*[http://www.jwire.com.au/?p=2543 Interview with J-Wire]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ban, Hajnal}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ban, Hajnal}}
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[[Category:Queensland local government politicians]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Afula]]
[[Category:Australian Jews]]
[[Category:Australian politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Australian white-collar criminals]]
[[Category:Australian people of Hungarian-Jewish descent]]
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[[Category:Queensland local councillors]]
[[Category:Israeli emigrants to Austria]]
[[Category:Israeli emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Austrian emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Hungarian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Women local councillors in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 23:02, 26 September 2024

Hajnal Ban
BornHajnal Ban
(1977-11-03) 3 November 1977 (age 47)
Afula, Israel
Pen nameSara Vornamen
OccupationBarrister, author, politician
NationalityAustralian
CitizenshipAustralian
EducationBIntBus, LLB
Alma materGriffith University
Notable worksGod Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall
SpouseSean Black (2010 - 2012)
ChildrenDominic, Elijah (step-children)
Website
hajnalban.com

Hajnal Ban (also known as Hajnal Black) is an Australian lawyer, author, and former conservative politician, who was convicted of charges that prevented her being elected to public office between 2012 and 2016.[1]

She was elected on 15 March 2008 a councillor for Logan City but was disqualified from 27 March 2012. Previously she was a councillor for the (now defunct) Beaudesert Shire Council from 27 March 2004. She was an unsuccessful National Party candidate for the federal seat of Forde, south of Brisbane, at the 2007 federal election. She won Liberal National Party selection for the newly created federal seat of Wright in November 2009, but subsequently lost endorsement following allegations she mismanaged the funds of a 65-year-old man.[2]

In 2002, she underwent surgery to increase the length of each of her legs by 8 cm. She published her experiences in the book God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall under the pseudonym Sara Vornamen. She also released a book called Her Secret.[3][4]

Early life

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Ban was born in Afula, Israel, to Hungarian parents.[5] Ban's grandfather was an Eastern European Jewish Holocaust survivor who moved the family to Israel in 1976 to escape communism.[6] The family moved to Austria in 1980 and then immigrated to Logan City, south of Brisbane, Australia in 1983. On gaining pre-selection for a federal seat, Ban relinquished her Israeli citizenship as Section 44 of the Australian Constitution forbids the election of people holding dual citizenship.

Education

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Ban was educated at Marsden Primary School and then Marsden State High School in Logan City, graduating in 1995.

After high school she entered Griffith University's law school and obtained degrees in Law and International Business. Ban was then admitted as a Barrister-at-Law in 2001.[6]

Political career

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2004–2008, Shire of Beaudesert Council

[edit]

Ban was first elected as Councillor for Division 4 in the (now defunct) Shire of Beaudesert on 27 March 2004 at the age of 26, when she significantly out-polled her four male opponents.[7] She was the youngest-ever councillor to be elected in the shire and the only barrister. She was elected as an independent and had no previous political party affiliation, but joined the National Party in 2006.

She was chairperson of the Shire's Planning and Development Committee from April 2004 to December 2005, when she was removed from the post, in a move spearheaded by Councillor John Fronis, over her opposition to the State's decision to designate the North McLean Enterprise Precinct in the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which would have placed heavy industry in the middle of her rural-residential division.[8]

2007 federal election

[edit]

In the 2007 federal election, Ban stood as the National Party candidate for the seat of Forde.[9][10] Although she worked hard at her campaign[11] and was credited with achieving a larger than expected swing, Ban only achieved 12.2% of the primary vote.[12] The voter base in the Forde electorate is heavily urban, so it was always unlikely the electorate would have voted for a National Party candidate over its urban conservative sister party, the Liberals.

2008 local government elections

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In July 2007, the Queensland Labor Government announced widespread reform to local government. The major reform was to amalgamate many councils, and Beaudesert was included in the process. Half the Shire was amalgamated with the Shire of Boonah to create the Scenic Rim Region while the other half was amalgamated with Logan City. Ban's entire division was in the area to be amalgamated into Logan City. Her division underwent significant change when it was merged with the neighbouring Division 5 (held by John Fronis, a Labor councillor) to form the new Logan City Division 11. Fronis and Ban subsequently contested the new division at the March 2008 elections, with Ban winning convincingly, even in areas where the Labor vote at state and federal elections had historically been high. Ban achieved 66.06% of the two-candidate-preferred vote to Fronis' 33.94%.[13]

Post-2008 election

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After her election to Logan City Council, Ban was elected chairperson of the Community, Sport and Customer Services Committee, but was removed from the position in May 2009, and replaced by a neighbouring urban-based councillor, Phil Pidgeon, because of her strong and somewhat outspoken advocacy for the amalgamated areas she represents.[14]

In late 2008, Ban formed an alliance with Sean Black, the only other rural-based councillor, and together they advocated strongly for their similar constituencies. Ban and Black married in 2010.

2010 LNP candidacy for Division of Wright

[edit]

After questions were raised by Queensland’s Adult Guardian about Ban's administration of an elderly man’s estate, the Liberal National Party revoked its endorsement of her as the candidate for the federal division of Wright on 7 June 2010.[15] The LNP claimed the Adult Guardian’s questions were never disclosed in her vetting committee. Ban voluntarily surrendered her power of attorney on 2 July 2010, after which proceedings in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal were ceased.[16]

Ban claimed the LNP disendorsed her pre-selection because men in the LNP hierarchy were never comfortable with a woman being pre-selected in a winnable seat.[17]

2012 Logan City Council election

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Ban originally nominated to run again as councillor for Division 11, but several weeks prior to the election she withdrew from the contest.[18]

Policies on gaming machines

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Ban is an anti-pokies campaigner and continues to advocate for the reduction in the number of gaming machines within the Logan City local government area.[19] Ban voted in several ballots to remove Deputy Mayor of Logan, Russell Lutton, who is a pro-pokies councillor.[20][21][22][23] Lutton has since fought back criticising Ban.[24][25]

Criminal charges

[edit]

In November 2011, Ban (then known as Hajnal Black) faced criminal charges for allegedly breaching local government financial disclosure laws. In December 2011, a Brisbane judge found she had failed to act properly on behalf of a dementia patient after the sale of his Park Ridge property south of Brisbane. The funds from the sale had been transferred into Ban's own bank account instead of being held in a separate trust account.[26] Ban lodged an appeal against the decision of the Supreme Court in January 2012. In March 2012, she had two warrants issued for her arrest, for ignoring one court date and storming out of another.[27] On 27 March 2012 she was found guilty on four of the five charges, fined $3500 and ordered to pay costs of $5000, and had a conviction recorded.[28] In September 2012 the judge ruled she was only entitled to $40,000 of the $700,000 she took.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

Ban was mentored by Brisbane barrister and businessman Russell Tacon.[30] On 30 May 2010, Ban married Logan City Councillor Sean Black,[31] who had acted as her campaign manager. She was known as Hajnal Black until they separated in mid-2012.[32]

In 2002 Ban undertook radical cosmetic surgery to gain 8 cm of height. She travelled to the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics in Kurgan, Russia where she was operated on by Dr Constantine Novikov.[33][34] Over a period of 5 months Ban was bedridden as her legs were lengthened. The process of lengthening took 12 months. She returned to Australia and talked to the media about her operation under the pseudonym Sara Vornamen in an attempt to hide her identity. Under the name 'Sara Vornamen' Ban wrote a book about her surgery, God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall.[24][35]

Brisbane's Courier-Mail revealed in April 2009 that Sara Vornamen was actually Ban.[36] Since that time Ban has received worldwide attention for her surgery[37] and has been a commentator on issues from sex discrimination to extra airline charges.[38]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Baskin, Brooke (27 March 2012). "Hajnal Black fined $5000 after being found guilty of four charges relating to pecuniary interests". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  2. ^ Sandy, Alison; Chalmers, Emma (7 June 2010). "Hajnal Ban's federal election bid in doubt after funds allegations". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  3. ^ "Buy Hajnal Ban Her Secret Book by Hajnal Ban (9780980681321) at Borders with free shipping". www.borders.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012.
  4. ^ "HajnalBan.com". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  5. ^ Vornamen, Sara (Hajnal Ban's pen name)(2003) God made small, surgery made me tall. Vornamen Enterprises
  6. ^ a b Laszlo, Dr Tanka (editor) (2005) Ausztralia es Uj-Zealand Magyar Vilaga (in English - Hungarians in the Australian and New Zealand part of the world). Panorama könyvek (in English - Panorama Books), pg 34 article titled Ban, Hajnal - Kepviselo, jogasz (in English political/representative) and Szeret masokon segiteni (in English - She likes to help others). This is a Hungarian written A-Z of notable Hungarians from around the world. This edition is for the Australia/New Zealand region ISBN 963-86689-0-3
  7. ^ Flack, Mark (26 October 2007). Ban believes people contact is key to electoral success. Albert and Logan News, p. 14
  8. ^ Waters, Brenton (12 December 2005) Ban-ished!. Jimboomba Times, pg 5
  9. ^ Jacobson, Michael (10–11 November 2007) "Long-standing MPs to sit out". Weekend Bulletin, pg 58
  10. ^ Coorey, Phillip (26 October 2006). "Happy National breaks the mould". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  11. ^ McKenna, Michael (21 November 2007). "Libs lose faith and turn to Nats". The Australian. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  12. ^ "House of Representatives - Forde (2007 general election)". Australian Electoral Commission. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  13. ^ "2008 Logan City - Councillor Election - Division 11". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  14. ^ Fraser, Kelmeny (24 May 2009) Council bars rebels. The Sunday Mail, pg 39
  15. ^ Maizey, Judith. "Hajnal Ban dropped by LNP". Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  16. ^ Barrett, Rosanne (6 July 2010). "Ban attacks LNP over guardian case". The Australian. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  17. ^ Fraser, Kelmeny (4 July 2010). "Dumped for being a woman, says Hajnal". The Sunday Mail (News Ltd), p. 10
  18. ^ Bayfield, Jessica; Hunter-Nolan, Lesley (20 April 2012). "Hajnal Black bows out of Logan City Council election race in Division 11". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  19. ^ Maizey, Judith (16 June 2009). "Ban moves on Greenbank Tavern pokie plan". Albert & Logan News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  20. ^ Barrett, Chris (29 April 2009). "Lions slot new venue into Queensland's poker machine capital". Brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  21. ^ Helbig, Koren (1 May 2009). "Council out on limb". Albert & Logan News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  22. ^ Lutton, Russell (16 March 2009). "Decision is about giving residents a choice". Logan City press release obtained from LCC website. Retrieved 3 February 2010. [dead link‍]
  23. ^ Davies, Hannah (4 March 2009). "Logan City moves to ban poker machines". Courier Mail. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  24. ^ a b Calligeros, Marissa (29 April 2009). "Big op overcomes small anxiety: Siberian surgeons add 8 cm [sic]". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  25. ^ Robertson, Josh (5 May 2009) Tall tales at Logan circus. The Courier-Mail, pg 38
  26. ^ "Court rules against councillor in $1.3m dispute". ABC Online. 7 December 2011.
  27. ^ "Hajnal Black on move to Brisbane Court of Appeal as warrant for her arrest remains active". Courier Mail. 19 March 2012.
  28. ^ "Hajnal Black found guilty". Courier Mail. 27 March 2012.
  29. ^ Keim, Tony (7 September 2013). "Hajnal Ban took $660,000 she was not entitled to, judge finds". heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  30. ^ "Hajnal Ban says she owes it all to mentor Russell Tacon". The Courier Mail. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  31. ^ Sandy, Alison (30 May 2010). "Hajnal Ban, Sean Black marry in Mt Tamborine ceremony". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  32. ^ "Former Logan City councillor Hajnal Ban back in court to defend spend". Courier-Mail. 20 July 2012.
  33. ^ Vornamen, Sara (Hajnal Ban's pen name)(2003) God made small, surgery made me tall. Vornamen Enterprises, pg 19
  34. ^ Who (18 May 2009) Extreme measures. Pacific Magazines, pg 24
  35. ^ "God made me small, surgery made me tall". The Times of India. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  36. ^ Sandy, Alison (29 April 2009). "Hajnal Ban has legs broken to be 8 cm taller". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  37. ^ Tedmanson, Sophie (1 May 2009). "Australian councillor, Hajnal Ban, has legs broken to become taller". Times Online. London. Retrieved 31 May 2009.[dead link‍]
  38. ^ Robertson, Josh (23 May 2009) Giving hot girls a leg up. The Courier Mail, pg 72
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