June 27, 2022 - Parliament
It gives me pleasure to speak on the Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition and Other Matters) Bill 2022. This is a bill that will amend multiple acts in order to strengthen the regulatory framework around Aboriginal self-determination in Victoria. I want to...
June 10, 2022 - Parliament
In this weeks Members Statement, I discussed the climate crisis and what our Government is doing about it.
June 9, 2022 - Parliament
I am delighted to be following the member for Sandringham in these matters. It gives me pleasure to speak on the State Taxation and Treasury Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. We all know about the Andrews Labor government’s record on the implementation of a progressive taxation...
May 30, 2022 - Parliament
In my inaugural speech to the Parliament, I explained my vision for Hawthorn, a vision honed over a life spent in Catholic education, and whilst I have always found it my role to educate and instill a moral compass in our best and brightest it...
May 16, 2022 - Parliament
I discussed my concerns about some of the grubby politics that our local Liberal Parliamentarians have engaged in over the course of the Federal Campaign in this weeks Members Statement.
April 14, 2022 - Parliament
I was going to begin with a text for today, but I really cannot let the member for Gembrook get too far away there. I just want to talk about elephants briefly—it is the concept of the elephant in the room. When I hear this...
April 4, 2022 - Parliament
Watch my speech on the Gambling and Liquor Legislation Amendment Bill below.
March 18, 2022 - Parliament
As a former officer in the RAAF, I was especially delighted to be given the honour of representing the government at the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. It was a timely reminder that many Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our...
March 7, 2022 - Parliament
November 29, 2021 - Parliament
Adapted from John Kennedy’s Speech to the Legislative Assembly on 17 November 2021 The Attorney-General’s question and answer document states: ‘We will better balance the right to equality with the right to religious freedom, ensuring protection and promotion of both rights.’ There are colleagues better...
November 1, 2021 - Parliament
Last week, the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 passed in the Assembly after being the source of both public and parliamentary debate. Personally, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better contribution about both the bill and the nature...
October 18, 2021 - Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (13:39): During 2019—near the end of 2019—the Minister for Education invited me to a busman’s holiday, and basically the busman’s holiday was to chair the reference group in respect of the review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling....
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...