Kennett: ‘Taken out of context and misunderstood’

Kennett: ‘Taken out of context and misunderstood’

Beyondblue chair Jeff Kennett says he has been “taken out of context” over his remarks on same-sex parenting.

In an interview aired on JOY94.9 today, Kennett said his Herald Sun opinion piece was “trying to look at the challenges facing young people”.

“I would like to think … that in many senses what I said has been taken out of context and misunderstood,” he said.

“In that article, from memory, I talked about the most important thing being a loving relationship, a loving environment, there is no substitute for that.

“If you don’t have a loving environment, the child witnesses what goes on.”

Speaking with JOY president David McCarthy, Kennett said he didn’t care what form a loving relationship took.

“A loving relationship, be it between a male and a female, be it between two men, two women, be it a single parent, a loving relationship is by far the best.”

Regarding the controversy surrounding his remarks, Kennett said he didn’t set out to discriminate, but that his personal preference is still for opposite sex parents.

“I made the comment that my preference … which would be, in my opinion, the preferred, and that’s the environment that I have grown up in, [with] which I‘m familiar, that’s been my mother and father.

“I didn’t set out to [discriminate] and I’m sorry to upset people, but on the other hand that is my opinion. But that doesn’t override the issue that it is a loving environment that is the most important.”

Kennett has signed up as a member of the station on the proviso the station agrees to work collaboratively with beyondblue on the development of a campaign to target the gay and lesbian community to address depression.

Listener feedback to the interview appeared to be overwhelmingly negative.

Show host Dean Beck read out a response from one listener who did not want to be part of an organisation that had Kennett as a member.

Following the interview, McCarthy refuted feedback that he had “gone soft” in the interview.

“It’s pretty easy to say that. I don’t believe we went soft on him. We asked him some pretty tough questions,” he said.

“I think he made it pretty clear that what he feels in his heart is it doesn’t mater the sex, gender — it’s the love and care you give to kids.

“I feel comfortable with the questions we asked and the responses he gave.”

McCarthy rejected claims the interview was a PR stunt or that the station was looking to cash in on the incident.

“It’s easy to criticise. Okay, you’re entitled to do that, but we’re going down a course of action we believe will deliver longstanding outcomes for our community.

“We are not doing this in any way to generate extra funding for JOY.”

The Kennett interview will be replayed on JOY’s Saturday Magazine, October 8, 9.30am.

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8 responses to “Kennett: ‘Taken out of context and misunderstood’”

  1. Homophobia is not acceptable and not up for compromise in my view. For Beyondblue gives a voilice to hate.

    I am sorry but giving yourself to an organization that promotes hate and violence is just not for me. Using the power of a weekly newspaper piece, to write all sorts of untruths, quoting Beyondblue, is not acceptable.

    Beyondblue is in shambles. The CEO leaving complaining she was bullied by Kennett for speaking up for our community, and Beyondblue not using evidence based research in guidelines, all but ignoring high risk groups, is a complete disgrace. It is not the Murdoch press where you can write fantasy or is it? We have an absolute right to attack Beyondblue for the homophobia they have supported, for those who have been greatly affected. If attacking homophobia means we help people not take their own life, then it is worth it.

    What sort of governance gets the Chairman of the Board, to make appointments and promotings, meddling in the day to day operations of a company and the CEO?

    It is an economic disaster for any government to give funds to Beyondblue. Homovember has my full support, as it will no doubt save lives by raising awarness that not everything that comes from Beyondblue is the truth. Jeff Kennett is Beyondblue, the Chairman of the board and the Ambassador.

    http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/kennett-in-beyondblue-bully-probe-20111008-1lf5x.html

  2. We have to engage and work with organisations such as Beyond Blue, not just shout at them. I am inclined to agree with Brian, something I never thought I would do. So we can all change! Lets all mellow a bit – if we act like friends we may end being friendly.

  3. WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU BRIAN MIER.

    Our views are not narrow, our vitriol are cries of anguish and horror because of the crimes that have been inflicted upon us.

    We have been the victims of conservative, homophobic, Liberal party culture for far too long… resulting in depression, police brutality, suicide, bashings, incarceration etc, you name it.

    Jeff Kennett was the Head Master of all this horror against Gay’s whilst he was in power. The torture/discrimination by his colleaues continues to this very day.

    Another big elephant in the room are all those Lifeline shops, The shops that you go to for help. They appear to be infested with Disapproving religious folk.

    We had the embarrassment of approaching our local charity re our problems, only to be told, “homosexuality was a sin”, and a Bible style lecture followed. Queensland Carers seem to have a similar problem with LGBTI people. Ducking for cover whenever necessary. “OH, at a meeting, or not in today”.

    Please don’t insult us with that, Sociology, textbook stuff, (one size fits all), spin either. Wise people will reject it as nonsense.

    People are angry, and can push their views all they want Brian.

    PETER BAIRD.
    CHAIRMAN
    MENTAL HEALTH REFORM OZ.

  4. I never cease to be amazed at the narrow views and vitriol that some of my gay colleagues come out with.

    Jeff Kenneyt is the Chairman and founding father of BeyondBlue. He is not BeyondBlue and does not manage or work in the organisation. The staff do.

    I am a volunteer with BeyondBlue, manning their information tables at various events, because I have observed the great resources the organisation provides.I have also seen that the GLBTI Fact Sheet disappears without being seen in country towns where I have put on a display. I have provided this service at a specific GLBTI event, and more are in the pipeline.

    I have also sat on the Grants Assessment Panel which advised on some grant applications – as a consumer. I believe the principles and processes that were used were fair, equitable, extremely well managed, and I was satisfied that my views as a gay man and providing that input were accepted equally with others on my panel.

    I absolutely reject the allegations that BeyondBlue discriminates against GLBTI People.

    There are too many angry people pushing their views in and onto our gay community and the mainstream community as well. It saddens me to see the media taking a lead in this by using extreme emotive words like ‘Rage’ and ‘Fury’ when they are really talking about normal human emotions like Anger, Sadness, Disappointment, etc.

    In November last year I made a personal decision to take a positive approach to life, people, issues, etc. and to reject those who pursue negativity. It has had a major, positive effect on my life, and I now try and find the good in events or push them away if I can’t find any. I’m a happier, more balanced gay man as a result.

    I commend this change of attitude to others including those who write for and manage this publication. Look for the good in things and people instead of revelling in the bad. And remember – the worst punishment you can provide is to totally ignore someone who does or says bad things. Putting them down vigorously and publicly actually promotes their causes and honours their egos. “Any publicity is good publicity”.

    Let me finish as I started. Jeff Kennett is not BeyondBlue. His terrible instances of foot-in-mouth disease should not be used to condemn an organisation which does great work and makes every effort to meet its Objectives fully, equitably and efficiently. It’s not perfect, but then, which organisation is?

    BRIAN MIER BHA, TSTC
    Men’s Health Educator & Advocate

  5. Who would believe a Liberal right wing Politician? Mr. Kennett has made plenty of homophobic remarks over his career.

    Peter Baird

    MENTAL HEALTH REFORM OZ.

  6. Further extracts will be played on SatMag
    The full interview will be played on Word for Word on Sunday October 9, 11am, and will be available as a podcast
    I’d wait for the whole thing before making a judgement