Mr Kennett was elected Leader of the Opposition in October 1982.
Under his leadership, the Victorian Coalition was elected to Government on October 3, 1992, with two-to-one majorities in both Houses of Parliament - a position unparalleled in almost 140 years of responsible State Government in Victoria.
In the Government’s first term, Mr Kennett held the positions of Premier and Minister for Ethnic Affairs.
The Coalition was returned to office at the March 30, 1996, election with a net gain in representation across both Houses of Parliament.
Mr Kennett continued as Premier, as well as serving as Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for the Arts. He headed the Government’s peak industry organisations - the Ministerial Industry Council, Premier’s Business Round Table, Victorian Communications and Multimedia Task Force and Food Victoria, and chaired the Science, Engineering and Technology Task Force.
Under his Premiership, Victoria earned the reputation as Australia’s most reformist government. They implemented extensive reforms of the Victorian public service, led Australia in privatisation of public authorities, reduced the State’s indebtedness from $33bn to $5.5bn, reinvigorated its economy and reinstated confidence among the Victorian community. On April 22, 1998, Victoria regained its AAA credit rating from international ratings agency, Standard and Poor’s.
In November 1999, Mr Kennett resigned from the Victorian Parliament after 23½ years service to pursue a corporate career.
Mr Kennett has travelled extensively internationally, and has a wide network of business and political contacts.
Mr Kennett is currently the Chairman of:
* Beyondblue (National Depression Initiative)
* Australian Seniors Finance
* Jumbuck Entertainment Limited
* Q Limited
* Open Windows Australia Limited
* Australian Commercial Catering
He is also Chairman of the not-for-profit community organisation Enterprize Ship Trust. A replica of the ship that came to Australia for the first European settlement.
Mr Kennett was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in January 2005 for his work with the Victorian Parliament, social and economic initiatives, arts, sport and mental health.
Mr Kennett has recently been appointed Vice-President of the Hawthorn Football Club, with the intention of being elected to President at the December Annual General Meeting.
TOPICS
While comfortable on a wide range of topics, Mr Kennett's key area's of interest are:
¨ Australia in the 21st Century and Beyond; our future, potential growth areas, the shape of society
¨ The challenges ahead for Australia as a nation
¨ The strategic importance of Australia's participation in the Asian region beyond East Timor
¨ The role of Government in leading debate on social issues
BRIEF HISTORY
Jeff Kennett was born in 1948. He and wife Felicity have four children. In 1968, he was conscripted and spent two years in the Australian Army, serving as an officer on overseas duty in Malaysia and Singapore.
After leaving the Army, Mr Kennett established several manufacturing and importing businesses, and an advertising agency, KNF.
In 1976, he entered the Victorian State Parliament. He served in the Liberal Government in the early 1980's as Minister for Housing, Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.
Mr Kennett was elected Leader of the Opposition in October, 1982. Under his leadership, the Victorian Coalition was elected to Government on October 3, 1992.
Mr Kennett was Premier of Victoria from 1992 to 1999 and led the Liberal Opposition from 1982 to 1989 and 1991 to 1992. A former Australian Military Forces officer and advertising executive, Mr Kennett is credited with leading the team that oversaw the rebuilding of Victoria's finances, economy, activity and confidence.
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