August 6, 2021 - News, Parliament
Member’s Statement, given on the 5th of July, 2021. This week is Homelessness Week. I find it astonishing that in an affluent country such as ours over 116 000 people experience homelessness on any given night. Research has shown that secure and affordable housing is...
August 3, 2021 - Parliament
My question is for the Minister for Education and is regarding the proposed VCAL reforms. The integration of VCAL into the VCE follows a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth. I was pleased to chair the expert reference group for...
June 24, 2021 - Parliament
Let me contribute to this debate on the Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2021. My comments today will submit that this bill is needed as Victoria transitions to new forms of energy which will not only drive down emissions but ensure we meet our emissions targets...
June 24, 2021 - Parliament
My question is for the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and concerns the support being provided to businesses in my electorate of Hawthorn during the circuit-breaker lockdown. The more than $500 million circuit-breaker business support package is helping Victorian businesses directly affected by the...
June 24, 2021 - Parliament
TOORAK ROAD, CAMBERWELL, ROAD SAFETY Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (09:56): I rise today to provide two important updates from the Hawthorn electorate. Standing alongside the member for Burwood, I am glad to represent a Victorian government improving road safety on Toorak Road near Hartwell Primary School....
June 23, 2021 - Parliament
It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the debate on the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership) Bill 2021. As the founding principal of a non-government secondary school for nearly 29 years, a recent recipient of a masters degree...
June 10, 2021 - News, Parliament
Constituency Question My question is for the Minister for Community Sport and concerns the $5.4 million loan provided to the Gardiners Creek corridor trail in my electorate of Hawthorn in the latest round of the government’s community sports infrastructure loans scheme. The scheme provides low-interest...
June 10, 2021 - News, Parliament
Member’s Statement Although currently unable to visit a gym, I recently received my first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine at Access Health and Community in Hawthorn. Today I want to encourage my constituents, fellow Victorians and Australians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. If...
June 9, 2021 - News, Parliament
Bill Speech Over lunch the discussion was with the German philosopher Goethe, who said, ‘As knowledge grows, so does doubt’. I have sometimes observed that this is a problem for some of us here in this place—but nonetheless, let me just say there appears to...
June 8, 2021 - News, Parliament
Bill Speech I rise today to speak on the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021. As a former educator I will contend that this bill is essential in ensuring schools are safe places of work and learning for staff and...
May 26, 2021 - Parliament
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Creative Industries, and the action I seek is an update on how the government’s support for creative industries benefits my constituents and businesses in Hawthorn. As we are all aware, many businesses have suffered during the COVID...
May 20, 2021 - Parliament
My question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and concerns the review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986 currently underway. The government published an options paper to which the community could respond and provide feedback. Along with my colleagues Nina...
April 1, 2021 - News, Parliament
Member’s Statement Given on 16 March 2021. “I recently visited the offices of Compass Education, an education technology platform, and met with founders John de la Motte and Lucas Filer and their friendly staff. Compass is a popular all-in-one school management system that helps schools...
March 17, 2021 - Parliament
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Housing, here with us tonight at the table, and the action I seek is that the minister join with me to attend the main works sod turn at the Bills Street housing development in Hawthorn. Bills Street...
March 2, 2021 - Parliament
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Crime Prevention. The action I seek is that the minister provide an update on the outcomes of the graffiti prevention grant of $18 000 given to Boroondara City Council for the refurbishment and installation of two murals...
February 4, 2021 - News, Parliament
It was my pleasure on Thursday the 4th of February 2021, to take a moment in Parliament to honour Yvonne Giltinan, a Hawthorn constituent who was recognised by the City of Boroondara on the 26th of January as both Citizen of the Year, and Outstanding...
December 11, 2020 - News, Parliament
It was an honour on Wednesday to make my final speech in Parliament for the year of 2020, and in doing so, to reply to the fantastic Budget that the Andrews Government delivered last fortnight. When Governments hand down budgets, they reveal two important things;...
November 30, 2020 - News, Parliament
It was brought to my attention, from a member of the opposition, that apparently people in Hawthorn are not interested in effective action on climate and transitioning to renewable energy. This has not been my experience. Since becoming the Member for Hawthorn, and well before...
November 30, 2020 - News, Parliament
The recent local council elections are bringing forth exciting times in Boroondara. In Parliament last week, I expressed my congratulations and best wishes to the six women and five men who will have the privilege of serving this great community. In particular, the seven councillors...
November 12, 2020 - News, Parliament
It was a joy to take a moment in this sunny week in Parliament to celebrate some of Hawthorn’s wonderful constituents. Even in the most challenging times, as the COVID winter behind us has certainly been, I am constantly amazed by the selflessness and generosity...
October 29, 2020 - News, Parliament
I was pleased to speak in Parliament this Wednesday, the 29th of October, commending the Education and Training Reform Amendment Bill to the Legislative Assembly. It was also a joy to take the opportunity in my opening to thank educators, students and parents alike for their...
October 29, 2020 - News, Parliament
*Content Warning: mentions sexual assault. Speaking my support for the Justice Legislation Amendment (Supporting Victims and Other Matters) Bill was another true honour in Parliament this week. Whether through institutional abuse or in the criminal justice system more generally, the often-shattering effect of crime upon...
October 15, 2020 - News, Parliament
Today I was pleased to speak on the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2020, to ensure equity and to right system-inadequacy for some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged citizens. You can watch my speech here. Ensuring that social and affordable housing continues to be available to as...
October 15, 2020 - Parliament
Statement made 14th October, 2020.
October 15, 2020 - Parliament
It is very pleasing to speak in support of such important legislation as is currently before the Assembly. The Bill contains far-ranging provisions designed to both ensure equity and to right system inadequacy for some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged citizens. In ensuring that social and...
September 23, 2020 - Parliament
Speaker, Last Thursday was RUOK day, an important day to empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life. In recognition of this day I want to acknowledge and share some of...
July 14, 2020 - Parliament
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on the rollout of the government’s mobile phone ban at schools in my electorate of Hawthorn. Last year I visited Auburn...
June 18, 2020 - Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (15:02): It is always good when you can get up and speak about bills that you have had some sort of involvement in, and at the end of January I had a few days in hospital—bit of elective surgery—just preparing me for the...
June 18, 2020 - News, Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (21:30): I am very pleased to be speaking on this motion. It has been quite some time since I was a three-year-old, and I certainly did not have the benefit of a three-year old kindergarten. It has caused me to think a...
June 16, 2020 - Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (14:30): I rise to speak on the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Regulation of Student Accommodation) Bill 2020. As a former school principal and assistant boarding housemaster I appreciate the benefits for the many students across Victoria who attend boarding schools. Students...