Calls for Kennett to stand down
Calls are being made for Jeff Kennett, former Victorian Premier and potential Melbourne mayor, to step aside from his position at national depression organisation Beyond Blue following a statement he made in support of an AFL club’s decision to sack a gay coach.
In an interview with the Sunday Herald, Kennett lent his support to the Bonnie Doon Football Club’s decision to sack Ken Campagnolo, saying that it was akin to hiring a pedophophile.
The comments have been labelled highly irresponsible coming from a spokesperson for the national depression initiative.
Research has shown that young gay men are up to 600 percent more likely than their straight counterparts to attempt suicide as a result of the type of homophobia shown by Kennett.
Kennett, who is also the president of the Hawthorn Football Club, defended Bonnie Doon’s decision, saying that they had a duty of care to young players.
The club felt that once this had been pointed out and you had this gentleman there who was obviously close to young men -” massaging young men -” it ran an unnecesary risk, Kennett is reporting as saying.
It’s the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right?
The case is currently before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal which will decide on the legitimacy of Campagnolo’s sacking.
Jeff Kennett, having failed to win his case over alleged homophobic remarks equating homosexuality with paedophilia, now claims he was misquoted or misunderstood and laws should be changed to protect him in the future (
Jeff Kennett, having failed to win a case this week [13.3.09] over his alleged homophobic remarks equating homosexuality with paedophilia, now claims he was misquoted or misunderstood and laws should be changed to protect him in the future (
I am pleased to say this is the comment I recieved from the AFL on this situation:
The AFL repudiates Jeff Kennett’s comments completely, as they were reported. AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou was interviewed on this matter by Neil Mitchell (3AW Melbourne radio) last Friday, August 1, and said publicly that Jeff did not speak for the AFL in this matter, and the AFL completely disagreed with his statements. This was again repeated in a media conference he did after his guest spot with Mr Mitchell, but not widely reported from last Saturday onwards. The AFL abhors any form of vilification and our position in this area is consistent. Mr Kennett’s role with Hawthorn is a matter for his club as an elected official, but the AFL repeats that it strongly opposes his views.
Its strange that a man who has suffered depression would take this kind of action. A Gay Masseur is one thing and a pedophile is another. How Stupid! I thought Jeff Kennett would have Empathy for Gays. A Depression organisation needs a Caring, Empathetic and Open minded leader.
If you wish to send a message to Beyond Blue to ask whether they are looking into this matter, you can do so at [email protected]
Thank you for publishing this article. I read this article with interest……and was shocked at the comments made by the former (Thankfully) Premier of Victoria. I would also be very interested to see if the AFL will follow up in regards to his comments, or if they will make a “no comment response”