Getting there

Just a quick update: Ken has now found somewhere to live close to his work, and says he had a good day in court Wednesday.

The court gave Ken another two weeks in which to find witnesses to testify on his behalf in his case against the Dept. of Sustainability & Environment.

However, so far no-one in Mansfield is willing to testify, for a variety of reasons.

Some are fearful of losing their jobs. Some just wish Ken would give up. Ken is loath to do so because that would mean he finally has to give up on his dream of getting his family home back.

But at this stage the reality is, that without witnesses, the case will not get up in court.

The good news is that although he won't be able to go back to the family home and life as he knew it in Mansfield, with a place to live and a job, he now has the beginnings of a new life in Melbourne, and is beginning to move forward.

On the AFL front, however, Kens case progresses well. Although the VCFL and VFL are onside, the AFL continues recalcitrant, because they are angry at The RJM Trust and Rob Mitchell for championing Ken's case and insisting they have overall responsibility. But pressure on them is mounting.

Jason Akermanis wrote about the issue of gays in footy on his Herald Sun blog - please take a moment to read it and give him a pat on the back for having the courage to at least talk about the issue.

State Labor MP for Albert Park, Martin Foley, tabled motions inviting the Liberals to join Labor in condemning Jeff Kennetts remarks on Kens case, earning the wrath of Denis Napthine among others. I am reminded of UK politician Dennis Healey, who once said that being attacked by his opposite number on the Tory benches was 'like being savaged by a sheep.' I expect Martin's experience was similar!

Martin Foley's motions read:

this House condemns the former Liberal Premier of Victoria , President of the Hawthorn Football Club and Lord Mayor aspirant ,Jeff Kennett for his recent comments equating the presence of bi-sexual people in community organisations to having a ‘paedophile as a masseur in a football club’;

this House calls upon the Leader of the State Opposition to distance himself from the comments of the former Leader of the Liberal Party attacking our bisexual community and in so doing asks him to note that these types of remarks to the extent to which they go unchallenged can profoundly and adversely impact on the lives of lesbian gay and bi sexual members of our community;

this House calls upon the leader of the Opposition to take a public stand against the type comments and acts of homophobic vilification as reflected in the Former Liberal Leader Jeff Kennett’s comments and to take a step to protect the health and well being of all of those in our community

Please would you also take a moment to thanks Martin for his support martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Support has also come from Greens member Sue Pennicuik, and Labor member Steve Herbert. And several Liberal members from both houses have written to me privately asking for more information on homophobia in rural areas, and expressing exasperation at Kennetts ill-thought remarks and his refusal to withdraw them or apologise.

Some of them have also privately congratulated Martin on his motions.

There will be more pressure on the AFL with an imminent announcement this weekend - watch this space.