Life After Politics
In 2000 Kennett became the inaugural chairman of beyondblue (the National Depression Initiative), a body that was largely formed by the efforts of the Victorian State Government. On 24 June 2008, he announced that he would be stepping down from his role at beyondblue at the end of 2010. This did not happen.
For a brief period during 2002, Kennett was a radio presenter for Melbourne station 3AK, continuing an interest in mass communication which was also a feature of his premiership. He also serves on the boards of Australian Seniors Finance, a reverse mortgage company, and SelecTV, a satellite television group.
On 14 December 2005 Kennett was made President of Hawthorn Football Club, taking over from Ian Dicker.
In the Australia Day Honours of 2005, Kennett received Australia's highest civilian honour, when he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). He was also awarded an honorary doctorate – Hon DBus (Honoris Causa) – by the University of Ballarat.
Mr Kennett said in an interview he rarely thinks anymore about the media or "bloody history", though he does still regret the "disastrous" introduction of the Metcard ticketing system for trains and trams.
Kennett angered gay rights groups in July 2008 when he supported the Bonnie Doon Football Club in their sacking of trainer Ken Campagnolo for being bisexual; and compared homosexuality to pedophilia. Anti-discrimination campaigner Gary Burns pursued an action in the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal against Kennett for making the following statement:
"The club felt that once this had been pointed out and you had this gentleman there who was obviously close to young men – massaging young men – it ran an unnecessary risk, and that's why it decided it was best that he not perform those duties again. So the club was trying to do the right thing,"
The case was dropped due to Gary Burns' lack of funds to pursue the case.
In 2011 Kennett was again accused of homophobia when he stated children have better mental health if raised in heterosexual marriages.
It seems Jeff did a complete turn around in 2012. See more details here: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/gays-embrace-kennetts-change-20120930-26tsv.html
Read more about this topic: Jeff Kennett
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