Jeff Kennett: he'd make anyone depressed

Jeff Kennett. The record shows I’ve mentioned him in five prior Farmdoc’s Blog posts. Nothing I’ve written about him’s complimentary. He’s not one of my favourite people. Nowhere near it. Even though he’s founder and chairman of beyondblue – which glibly calls itself ‘the national depression initiative’ [1]. (Oh. I thought it held itself out to be an anti depression initiative.) Before today, the latest time I mentioned Mr Kennett was on 14 April in a post related to his beyondblue chairmanship [2]. Last Thursday, over three months after 14 April, a man named Jim, who I don’t know, wrote a heartfelt comment [3].

The day before Jim commented, the media reported that anti gambling campaigner Senator Xenophon, noting the link between gambling and depression, urged Mr Kennett to resign his directorship of a company that services gambling machines, or else sever all connection with beyondblue [4]. That was a week ago. Mr Kennett responded to Senator Xenophon’s call – in his trademark bullying, disparaging manner. But he hasn’t resigned either role. He says there’s no conflict of interest in him holding both roles concurrently [5]. Does the man have the hide of an elephant? Don’t answer that – it’s a rhetorical question. Eh, Jim.

The Hon (?) Jeff Kennett

Today I write of aggression, provocation, arrogance, disgust, hypocrisy, dishonesty, contempt, immorality and despisal:

Twenty months ago I wrote of Jeff Kennett – the Honourable Jeff Kennett though I know of nothing honourable about him – and how he aggressively, provocatively, arrogantly and disgustingly orchestrated the subjugation of Albert Park, one of inner Melbourne’s oldest and most loved and used public parks, into a car racing track [1]. He shrugged off all criticism. Indeed he verbally attacked and threatened anti-GP protesters. Me included.

From 11-16 April in Melbourne, there’s an international conference titled Healthy Parks Healthy People [2]. And, stone the crows, guess who’s the opening Keynote Speaker? Why the self-same Hon Jeff Kennett, Chairman of beyondblue: the national depression initiative [3]. Kennett said: ‘…parks and open spaces are no longer simply about recreation – they are about enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of the community. Parks play a vital role in providing space for exercise and physical activity, which is important for the management and prevention of depression and anxiety. They are also a hub of community activity – facilitating social connectedness and inclusion’ [4].

Wowee. What a hypocrite Kennett is. His dishonesty, contemptuousness and immorality are breathtaking. Like Tracee Hutchison [5] ‘I despise the man and everything he represents’. He disgusts me. He’s an insightless buffoon. I don’t wish him well.