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Jeffrey Gibb Kennett
Jeff Kennett
In office
6 October 1992 – 20 October 1999
Preceded by Joan Kirner
Succeeded by Steve Bracks
Constituency Burwood
Born 2 March 1948 (1948-03-02) (age 60)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse Felicity Kellar

Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC (born 2 March 1948), Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria from 1992 to 1999. See Premiers of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Premier Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM (born 20 June 1938 Australian politician was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position which she held for Stephen Philip Bracks (better known as Steve Bracks (born 15 October, 1954) is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria Burwood District is an electorate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly in Australia. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. See Premiers of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Premier He is also the current Chair of beyondblue (the National Depression Initiative) and President of the Hawthorn Football Club. beyondblue is an Australian Non-profit organisation which aims to increase awareness and improve the treatment of depression, Bipolar disorder Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed The Hawks, are an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League (AFL founded in 1902

Contents

Early life

Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March, 1948, and educated at Scotch College. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 Scotch College Melbourne (commonly referred to as Scotch) is an independent, Presbyterian, day and Boarding school for boys [1] Kennett was an unexceptional student academically, but did well in Scotch's Cadet Corps Unit. His failure to rise above the middle band academically almost led him to quit school in Fourth Form (Year 10 - 1963), but he was persuaded to stay on. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. His Fifth and Sixth Forms were an improvement, but he was still described in school reports as "[a] confident and at times helpful boy. Sometimes irritates. Sometimes works hard" (1964), and "[a] keen, pleasant, though sometimes erratic boy" (1965). Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. [2]

Leaving school, Kennett was persuaded by his father Ken to attend the Australian National University in Canberra, but lost interest and dropped out after one year of an economics degree. The Australian National University, commonly abbreviated to ANU, is a public Research university situated in Canberra, Australia. Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. He returned to Melbourne and found work in the advertising department of the retail giant Myer - kindling an interest for advertising that would one day earn him his living. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 Myer is Australia 's largest chain of Department stores retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's men's and children's clothing footwear and accessories [3]

Kennett's life in the regular workforce was cut short when, in 1968, he was conscripted into the Australian Army. Conscription (also known as the draft, the call-up or national service) is a general term for involuntary labor demanded by some established authority The Australian Army is Australia's military land force It is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF along with the Royal Australian Navy and the [4] Kennett was singled out as 'officer material' early in his career, and graduated third in his class from the gruelling Officer Training Unit (OTU) Scheyville, near Windsor NSW, outside Sydney. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 He was posted to Malaysia and Singapore as Second Lieutenant, commander of 1st Platoon, A Company, the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Singapore [5] This military career (and his earlier experience in the Scotch College Cadet Corps) has been noted by many biographers as an essential formative influence on the adult Kennett's character. His sense and regard for hierarchical loyalty, punctuality, and general intolerance of dissent or disobedience may be traced to this period. [6]

Kennett returned to civilian life in 1970, reentering a deeply divided Australian society, split by the Vietnam War, of which Kennett was a firm supporter. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Having returned to Myer, Kennett became impatient with his work, and so with Ian Fegan and Eran Nicols, he formed his own advertising company (KNF) in June 1971. Myer is Australia 's largest chain of Department stores retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's men's and children's clothing footwear and accessories Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. [7] Thereafter, in December 1972, Kennett married Felicity Kellar, an old friend whom he had first met on the Number 7 tram on the long trips to school. Their first son, Ed, was born in 1974, followed by a daughter Amy, and two more sons, Angus and Ross. [8]

Political career

Interested in local politics since the early 1970s, Kennett was elected as a Liberal Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Burwood in 1976. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. The Legislative Assembly, or lower house is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia Burwood District is an electorate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly in Australia. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [9] His preselection for the seat reportedly irritated then Premier Rupert Hamer, who disliked Kennett's campaigning style, and had endorsed the sitting member, Haddon Storey. In politics preselection is the process by which a Candidate is selected usually by a Political party, to contest an Election for political office See Premiers of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Premier Sir Rupert James Hamer, AC, KCMG, ED ( 29 July, 1916 - 23 March, 2004) generally known until he was knighted [10] Entering the government of Dick Hamer, Kennett was soon appointed as Minister for Housing, Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in 1981. Sir Rupert James Hamer, AC, KCMG, ED ( 29 July, 1916 - 23 March, 2004) generally known until he was knighted He retained this post when Hamer was replaced as Liberal leader and Premier by Lindsay Thompson in June of that year. Lindsay Hamilton Simpson Thompson AO, CMG ( 15 October 1923 &ndash 16 July 2008) Australian Liberal Party [11] Following the defeat of the longstanding Liberal government in 1982, Kennett was the leading candidate to replace Lindsay Thompson, and on 26th October, he was elected Leader of the Liberal Party, despite being the youngest member of the outgoing Cabinet. Lindsay Hamilton Simpson Thompson AO, CMG ( 15 October 1923 &ndash 16 July 2008) Australian Liberal Party A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. He was an aggressive Leader of the Opposition, and was much criticised for his "bull-in-a-china-shop" style and his populist anti-government rhetoric. Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government particularly in a Westminster -based Parliamentary system [12]

Kennett's performance as Opposition Leader is a subject of debate. Economou sees his 1985 and 1988 election campaigns as weak,[13] while Parkinson believes he was a significant asset in pushing the Labor government of John Cain in several key seats. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) John Cain (born 26 April 1931) Australian Labor Party politician was the 41st Premier of Victoria, holding office from 1982 [14]. Whether judged a success or not, Kennett soon faced a challenge to his leadership of the party - from Ian Smith. Ian Winton Smith, born 25 November 1939 is a former Victorian Liberal Party of Australia politician Kennett survived easily, but increasingly, he seemed an erratic and unapproachable leader. He faced two more challenges to his leadership in 1986 and 1987 respectively. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) [15] In 1987, in one notable incident Kennett referred to the Federal Liberal leader John Howard using colourful language in a mobile telephone conversation with Howard rival Andrew Peacock. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March Andrew Sharp Peacock AC (born 13 February 1939 is a former Australian Liberal politician [16] The car-phone conversation damaged both Howard and Kennett, but aided Peacock in his push to return as Federal Liberal leader (1989). Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) [17]

Toward the end of its second term the Cain government had endured some loss in support and the Liberals were considered a good chance of winning the 1988 election. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) When Cain was returned with a small but workable majority, Kennett was again criticised within his own party, and in 1989 he was deposed as leader and replaced by Alan Brown, a little-known rural Member of the Legislative Assembly. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Alan John Brown (born 25 January 1946 Australian politician was an Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Leader of the Opposition A furious Kennett described Alan Hunt, the instigator of the coup, as "a man never to be trusted". Alan John Hunt ( AM) (born 9 October 1927 is an Australian Politician, having been a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1961 until He publicly pledged never to attempt a return to the Liberal leadership, but when Brown proved unable to challenge the government effectively, he allowed his supporters to stage a shock party-room coup and restore him to the leadership, unopposed, in 1991. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar.

First Term as Premier

Given the parlous state of Victoria's finances and the inability of the ALP to deal with billions of dollars in debt, Kennett was seen from the beginning of his second leadership stint as 'Premier-in-waiting'. The Liberals (in coalition with the National Party of Australia) won the October 1992 election in a landslide as a result of the public's disillusionment with the Labor government. The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement such as rock falls deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows which can occur In the second-largest landslide in history, the Liberals and Nationals attained a 34-seat majority in the Victorian Parliament and were thus uniquely placed to govern with little restraint. The Parliament of Victoria is a Bicameral, or two-house legislature

In office, Kennett immediately instituted one of the most radical budget-cutting and privatisation programs undertaken by any Victorian government, in an effort to improve the State's economy. Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of business from the Public sector (government to the Private sector (business Having assumed office, the need for such radical action was reinforced when Kennett and his new Treasurer Alan Stockdale discovered that the outgoing Labor government had left them with $2. In many Governments a treasurer is the person responsible for running the Treasury. Alan Robert Stockdale (born 21 April 1945 is a former Victorian state Liberal politician 2 billion budget deficit, a net public sector debt of $33 billion and budget sector debt of $16 billion. To combat this debt, some fifty-thousand public servants were retrenched between 1992 and 1995. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Moreover, in the first three years of the 'Kennett Revolution' (as the Premier himself came to term it), government funding for the public school system was slashed, with 350 government schools closed, and 7,000 teaching jobs removed. Other highly controversial moves included the sacking of 16,000 public transport workers in a major technological upgrade of the system, and the initiation of a huge scheme for privatisation of state-owned services, including the electricity (SEC) and gas (Gas & Fuel Corporation) utilities, as well as several prisons and other minor services. Between 1995 and 1998, $29 billion of state assets in gas and electricity alone were sold to private enterprise (for statistics, see Parkinson, Jeff, 1999). Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)

In the wake of these changes, investment and population growth slowly resumed, though unemployment was to remain above the national average for the duration of Kennett's premiership. Unemployment occurs when a person is available to work and currently seeking work but the person is without work. While the economic benefits were indisputable, the social cost of the Kennett reforms was questioned by many commentators, academics and those who suffered economically through the period of reform.

10 November 1992 saw the largest public protest in Melbourne since the Vietnam War, with an estimated 100,000 people marching in opposition to the retrenchment of so many workers and the massive budget cutbacks. Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia A further spur to protest was the imposition in early 1992 of a poll tax of $100 on each Victorian household. A poll tax, head tax, or capitation is a Tax of a uniform fixed amount per individual (as opposed to a percentage of income Kennett was notably undeterred by this outrage, and famously commented that though there were 100,000 outside his office that day, there were 4. 5 million who stayed at home or at work.

It is difficult to assess the merits or otherwise of Kennett's 'Revolution' in his first term, as many (including Auditor-General Ches Baragwanath) estimate that the true value of the reforms will not be apparent until well into the 21st Century.

The Kennett government also embarked on a series of high-profile capital-works projects, such as the restoration of Parliament House (never completed), construction of a new $250 million Melbourne Museum, and a new $130 million Melbourne Exhibition Centre (still known colloquially as 'Jeff's Shed'). Parliament House in Melbourne has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, since 1855 except for the years 1901 to 1927 when it was occupied The Melbourne Museum is located in the Carlton Gardens in Melbourne, Australia. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is the name for two buildings on opposite sides of the Yarra River in Southbank, a suburb of the Melbourne Other projects, made possible in monetary terms by the early cutbacks and budget restructuring, included a $160 million expansion of the National Gallery of Victoria; $100 million for refurbishment of the State Library of Victoria; $65 million for a new Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC); and $130 million for the construction of a new civic square on the site of the old Gas and Fuel Buildings, to be known as Federation Square. The National Gallery of Victoria is an art gallery and museum in Melbourne Australia. The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC is an international sporting venue located in Albert Park, Victoria, Australia. Federation Square (also colloquially known as Fed Square) is a cultural precinct in the city of Melbourne, Australia. The poaching of the Formula 1 Grand Prix from Adelaide in 1993 was a particular coup for Kennett, who had worked hard with his friend Ron Walker to reach a deal with Formula-1 boss Bernie Ecclestone over a period of months. The Australian Grand Prix is a Formula One race that is part of the annual Formula One championship season Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a Ronald Joseph Walker AC CBE is a former Lord Mayor of Melbourne and Australian businessman renowned for his work in managing sporting events Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone (born 28 October 1930 near Bungay Suffolk, England) is the president and CEO of

The most controversial project of the Kennett era was the $1. 85 billion Crown Casino, a gambling and entertainment centre on Melbourne's Southbank. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex is a Casino and entertainment precinct on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia Southbank is an Inner city suburb of Melbourne, Australia in the state of Victoria. Initial plans for a casino had been made under the Labor government, however the tendering process and construction occurred under Kennett. Allegations of financial inconsistencies in the tendering process (which eventually saw longtime Kennett supporters Ron Walker and Lloyd Williams successful) were to dog the Kennett government for many years, despite the verdict of an enquiry which found no wrongdoing on its behalf. Lloyd Williams may refer to Lloyd W Williams (1887-1918 American World War I Marine officer Lloyd J

A $2 billion project to redevelop Melbourne's derelict Docklands area (to include a new football stadium) was also undertaken, in addition to the massive CityLink project, aimed a linking Melbourne's freeways, ease traffic problems in the inner city, and reduce commuting times from the outer suburbs to the CBD. Melbourne Docklands is a Coastal area within Melbourne, Australia. Monash Freeway|Tullamarine Freeway|West Gate Freeway CityLink is a system of tolled urban Freeways in Melbourne, Victoria,

Second Term as Premier

Kennett's personal popularity remained high through his first term, though that of the government as a whole went through peaks and troughs. Without a by-election in the previous four years, the 1996 election shaped up as the first test of the 'Kennett Revolution' with the electorate. A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Though expected to win, the scale of the victory was unanticipated. On 30th March 1996, Kennett was reelected with a 32-seat majority, his prestige seemingly undiminished. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar)

Several worrying trends (for the Liberals) were obscured somewhat by the euphoria of victory. The government's sharp cuts to government services were particularly resented in country Victoria, where the Liberals and their coalition partners, National Party held almost all the seats. A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a Cabinet of a parliamentary Government in which several parties cooperate The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. The loss of the Mildura seat to an independent Russell Savage was an indication of this disaffection, and when in February 1997 independent Susan Davies was elected to the seat of Gippsland West, this trend seemed set to continue. Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia, part of the Rural City of Mildura. Russell Savage (b 27 January, 1948 was the independent member for the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Mildura from 1996 until Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar

However, the verdict of many was that the 'Kennett Revolution' was far from over - indeed it was seemingly set in stone with the opening of the Crown Casino in May, 1997. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex is a Casino and entertainment precinct on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia Kennett's profile continued to grow as he became a major commentator on national issues, including urging the new government of John Howard to introduce tax reform, and actively opposing the rise of the One Nation Party of Pauline Hanson. See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March Not to be confused with the One Nation program of infrastructure works carried out from 1991 to 1996 by the Keating Labor Government Pauline Lee Hanson ( née Seccombe; born 27 May 1954) is an Australian Politician and former leader of Pauline Hanson's In this last case, Kennett did not shy away from criticising the media, but also the intransigence of the Howard government over its failure to actively oppose Hanson's agenda. [18]

The government lost ground over the next few years, with high-profile disagreements with the Director of Public Prosecutions Bernard Bongiorno, and Auditor-General Ches Baragwanath fuelling criticism of Kennett's governmental style. The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several Criminal jurisdictions around the world Kennett's antipathy to Baragwanath led to 1997 legislation to restructure the office of the Auditor-General and set up Audit Victoria. While Kennett promised the independence of the office would be maintained, many saw his government's actions as an attempt to curb the Auditor-General's power to criticise government policy. [19] Widespread community debate and substantial public dissent from Liberal MPs and Party members ensued, with MLA Roger Pescott resigning from Parliament at the height of the debate; citing his disagreement with this Bill and Kennett's style in general. The Liberal Party lost the by-election in Mitcham.

Further scandals involving the handling of contracts for the state emergency services response system damaged the credibility of Kennett in 1997-1998, while rural dissent continued to grow. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)

Personal difficulties also began to plague Kennett and his family. The strains of public life led to a trial separation between Felicity and Jeff in early 1998 (patched up by the end of the year), while earlier in Kennett's first term, public scrutiny had led to the forced sale of the KNF Advertising Company, despite all Kennett's involvement having been transferred to his wife's name. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) There were rumours in 1998 that Kennett might retire from politics; these were mostly centred around Phil Gude, a longtime minister (as industry and employment minister, 1992-1996, and minister for education, 1996-1999). Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) These eventually came to nothing, but nevertheless, Kennett's position was no longer as rock solid as in the period 1992-1998. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)

In July 1998, Liberal MP , Peter McLellan, Member for Frankston East, resigned from the party in protest over alleged corrupt Liberal Party Senate preselection, changes to WorkCover and the auditor-general’s office. Again, Kennett failed to pick up the warning signs of declining support for his style of leadership.

Labor leader John Brumby took care to capitalise on each of Kennett's (perceived) mistakes over this period, though his absences in rural electorates were misunderstood by many Labor MPs, and led to his replacement by Steve Bracks in early 1999. John Mansfield Brumby (born 21 April 1953 Australian Labor Party politician is the 45th Premier of Victoria, assuming office on 30 July 2007 after the resignation Stephen Philip Bracks (better known as Steve Bracks (born 15 October, 1954) is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Bracks, who came from Ballarat, was popular in rural areas and was seen as a fresh alternative to Brumby, who nevertheless remained a key figure in the shadow cabinet. Ballarat (formerly spelt "Ballaarat" is a city in Victoria, Australia, and one of the country's largest inland cities The Shadow Cabinet (also called the Shadow Front Bench) is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the Despite the appeal of Bracks, Kennett entered the 1999 election campaign with a seemingly unassailable lead, and most commentators and opinion polls agreed that he would win a third term. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) On the morning of the election a leading political journalist, Ewen Hannan, predicted that 'Labor supporters will be crying into their beers tonight'.

1999 election loss

The Liberals lost 13 seats to Labor at the 1999 election, most of them in regional centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo. Ballarat East is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Victoria. Bendigo East is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Victoria. The final result in the Legislative Assembly was: Labor, 42 seats; the Liberals and Nationals, 43; with three independents holding the balance of power. The Legislative Assembly, or lower house is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia Independents Russell Savage and Susan Davies were joined by a third Independent, Craig Ingram. Craig Ingram (born 25 March 1965) is the independent MP for Gippsland East in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Negotiations began between Kennett's Liberal Party and the three independents. While Kennett acceded to their demands, his perceived poor treatment of Savage and Davies in the previous parliament meant that they held a position that they would never agree to support a Liberal Party minority government while Kennett remained leader. A minority government or a minority cabinet is a Cabinet of a Parliamentary system formed when the governing Political party or The Liberal negotiators did not reveal this to their party and Labor was ultimately successful in winning their support to form a government, after signing a Charter of Good Government, pledging to restore services to rural areas, and promising parliamentary reforms. The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to

The defeat of the Kennett government was almost totally unexpected. Kennett's supporters urged the Liberal Party to force a vote of 'no confidence' on the floor of the parliament in a last-ditch effort to force Savage, Davies and Ingram to support the Liberal government; however with the Liberal Party divided on Kennett's future role, Kennett resigned as Leader of the Liberal Party and from Parliament, saying he wished to have no further involvement in politics. The consequent Burwood by-election was won by the Labor Party. Burwood District is an electorate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly in Australia.

Rumoured returns to politics

After the Liberals' second election defeat in 2002, rumours began that Kennett was planning a comeback to politics. The issue came to a head in May 2006 after the sudden resignation of the Liberal Party leader, Robert Doyle, when Kennett announced he would contemplate standing in a by-election for the seat vacated by Doyle and offering himself as party leader. Robert Doyle (born 20 May 1953) is an Australian politician He was Member for Malvern in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria from His stance was supported by Prime Minister John Howard, who rated him as the party's best hope to win the November 2006 state election. See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March But within 24 hours Kennett announced he would withdraw from the race rather than challenge Ted Baillieu, whom Kennett had been grooming for the top post since 1999. Edward Norman (Ted Baillieu (born 31 July 1953) is an Australian politician [20][21] John Howard was reported to have been "embarrassed" by having publicly supported Kennett before his decision not to re-enter politics. [22]

Life after politics

Kennett currently chairs beyondblue (the National Depression Initiative), a body that was largely formed by the efforts of the Victorian State Government. beyondblue is an Australian Non-profit organisation which aims to increase awareness and improve the treatment of depression, Bipolar disorder He has held the position since 2000, when he became beyondblue's inaugural chairman. [23] For a brief period during 2002, Kennett was a radio presenter for Melbourne station 3AK, continuing an interest in mass-communication which was also a feature of his premiership. 3AK is a former Melbourne Talk-back radio and music station which in 2003 leased its licence to sports network SEN 1116. He also serves on the boards of Australian Seniors Finance,[24] a reverse mortgage company, and SelecTV, a satellite television group. Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable

In 2005 Kennett was made Vice President of his beloved Hawthorn Football Club, and in a ceremony on December 14, 2005, he officially took over the presidency from Ian Dicker. Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed The Hawks, are an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League (AFL founded in 1902 Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [25]

In 2005 Kennett received Australia's highest civilian honour, when he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition He was also awarded an honorary doctorate - Hon DBus (Honoris Causa) - by The University of Ballarat.

Kennett had hip replacement surgery in December 2005.

In 2006 Kennett was attacked while celebrating his son's birthday in a Richmond bar and received minor abrasions; the attacker is awaiting trial. [26]

Kennett's name remains associated with one of the two largest factions in the fractious Victorian Division of the Liberal Party. The battles between the "Kennett/Baillieu faction" and the "Kroger/Costello faction" (associated with Michael Kroger and Peter Costello) are often fierce [1]. Michael Norman Kroger is a businessman and a powerbroker within the Victorian division of the Liberal Party of Australia. Peter Howard Costello (born 14 August 1957 is an Australian politician

Further reading

The material for this revised entry was obtained from the major biographical and reference works on Kennett's life and career. These are:

Other important materials include:

An unpublished, highly one-sided official history of the Kennett government remains in the archives of the State Government of Victoria. Entitled 'The Kennett Ascendancy', the work was written by Dr Malcolm J Kennedy (formerly of Monash University) at a cost of $100,000. It remains unlikely to see the light of day under Steve Bracks' government, however John Brumby did attempt to find a publisher in 1999, but none came forward (see the notes to Blainey's history).

References

  1. ^ Nick Economou, 'Jeff Kennett: The Larrikin Metropolitan', in Paul Strangio and Brian Costar (eds), The Victorian Premiers: 1856-2006, Annandale: Federation Press, 2006, p. 365.
  2. ^ Tony Parkinson, Jeff: The Rise and Fall of a Political Phenomenon, Ringwood: Penguin, 2000, p. 19.
  3. ^ Parkinson, Jef, pp. 22-23.
  4. ^ Parkinson, Jef, p. 24.
  5. ^ Parkinson, Jeff, pp. 25, 29.
  6. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', pp. 365-366.
  7. ^ Parkinson, Jeff, p. 36.
  8. ^ Parkinson, Jeff, p. 35.
  9. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', p. 366.
  10. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', p. 366.
  11. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', p. 366.
  12. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', pp. 367 & Cartoon 10 between pp. 146-147.
  13. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', p. 368.
  14. ^ Parkinson, Jeff, pp. 69-71.
  15. ^ Economou, 'Jeff Kennett', p. 368.
  16. ^ australianpolitics. com (1995-2006)
  17. ^ Kennett-Peacock Car Phone Conversation. Retrieved May 5, 2006.
  18. ^ George Megalogenis, The Longest Decade, Carlton North: Scribe, 2006, pp. 212-213.
  19. ^ John Waugh, 'The Kennett Government and the Constitution: No Change?', in Brian Costar & Nicholas Edonomou, The Kennett Revolution: Victorian Politics in the 1990s, Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 1999, pp. 59, 61.
  20. ^ Harrison, Dan. "Kennett calls it quits", The Age, 5 May 2006. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.  
  21. ^ Silkstone, Dan. "Jeff admits: I asked Ted the wrong question", The Age, 6 May 2006. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.  
  22. ^ Austin and Tomazin, Paul and Farrah. "Kennett backdown infuriates Howard", The Age, 6 May 2006. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.  
  23. ^ beyondblue (2006). Board of Directors. Retrieved May 5, 2006.
  24. ^ Australian Seniors Finance (2006). The people behind the company. Retrieved May 5, 2006.
  25. ^ Official AFL Website of the Hawthorn Football Club (2006). Hawthorn FC Board: Jeff Kennett - President. Retrieved March 6, 2006.
  26. ^ Milovanovic, Selma. "Angry patron assaults Kennett at Richmond pub", The Age, 4 February 2006. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.  

External links

Preceded by
Joan Kirner		 Premier of Victoria
1992-1999		 Succeeded by
Steve Bracks
Preceded by
Lindsay Thompson		 Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in Victoria
1982-1989		 Succeeded by
Alan Brown
Preceded by
Alan Brown		 Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in Victoria
1991-1999		 Succeeded by
Denis Napthine
Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM (born 20 June 1938 Australian politician was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position which she held for See Premiers of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Premier Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Stephen Philip Bracks (better known as Steve Bracks (born 15 October, 1954) is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria Lindsay Hamilton Simpson Thompson AO, CMG ( 15 October 1923 &ndash 16 July 2008) Australian Liberal Party The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Alan John Brown (born 25 January 1946 Australian politician was an Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Leader of the Opposition Alan John Brown (born 25 January 1946 Australian politician was an Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Leader of the Opposition The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Dr Denis Vincent Napthine (born 6 March, 1952) is an Australian politician for the Liberal Party in the state of Victoria.
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