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.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Good News / Bad News
It's good and bad news for Ken. On the plus side, he now has a job here in Melbourne, so he is at last earning an income again.
Now all he needs is a home. If there's anyone in the Ringwood area who could help, please get in touch.
The bad news is that he is finding it impossible to persuade anyone in Mansfield to testify on his behalf in court. It appears that pressure has been applied behind the scenes and people are fearful of losing their jobs.
So it has been one step forward and one back. Naturally Ken is pleased to be working again, but Kennetts intervention was, as he says, a kick in the guts.
Given this increased pressure on Ken and the lack of support from his former colleagues and neighbours, it's hard to know what to do next.
I'll keep you posted.
Now all he needs is a home. If there's anyone in the Ringwood area who could help, please get in touch.
The bad news is that he is finding it impossible to persuade anyone in Mansfield to testify on his behalf in court. It appears that pressure has been applied behind the scenes and people are fearful of losing their jobs.
So it has been one step forward and one back. Naturally Ken is pleased to be working again, but Kennetts intervention was, as he says, a kick in the guts.
Given this increased pressure on Ken and the lack of support from his former colleagues and neighbours, it's hard to know what to do next.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Online Poll
Should Jeff Kennett make a public apology to the gay community over his remarks equating gays and paedophiles?
3AW has some great audio of John Michael Hewson talking about this, and the station is running an online polls.
http://www.mytalk.com.au/Pages/default.aspx
Please vote YES - Kennett needs to acknoledge he was wrong, instead of just the current mealy-mouthed "I was taken out of context" nonsense.
As a TV reporter said to me "It's hard to imagine any context that would make his remarks mean anything except what they appear to men."
3AW has some great audio of John Michael Hewson talking about this, and the station is running an online polls.
http://www.mytalk.com.au/Pages/default.aspx
Please vote YES - Kennett needs to acknoledge he was wrong, instead of just the current mealy-mouthed "I was taken out of context" nonsense.
As a TV reporter said to me "It's hard to imagine any context that would make his remarks mean anything except what they appear to men."
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Ken on Joy this arvo/Ch 7 tonight
I interviewed Ken on Allegro Non Troppo on Joy during the first hour of the show 11-12 noon today, and also Rodney Croome of the Australian Coalition for Equality.
Rodney was able to confirm that Kennett stands by his comments and has confirmed he was not misquoted or taken out of context.
He is now left with nowhere to go except to resign or to withdraw and apologise - not exactly courses of action he is famous for.
Meanwhile Ken is due to be interviewed for Channel 7 news tonight: I'll be on hand to give moral support.
Rodney was able to confirm that Kennett stands by his comments and has confirmed he was not misquoted or taken out of context.
He is now left with nowhere to go except to resign or to withdraw and apologise - not exactly courses of action he is famous for.
Meanwhile Ken is due to be interviewed for Channel 7 news tonight: I'll be on hand to give moral support.
Jeff Kennetts homophobia
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24083078-661,00.html
Jeff Kennett gay storm
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
James Campbell
July 27, 2008 12:00am
EXCLUSIVE: FORMER state premier Jeff Kennett has provoked a gay rights storm by backing a football club that sacked a trainer for being gay.
The Hawthorn president and potential Melbourne lord mayor sparked calls for his sacking after saying Bonnie Doon Football Club was within its rights to sack veteran trainer Ken Campagnolo after it found out he was gay.
"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," Mr Kennett said.
"When you are in charge of a group of young boys, as this club was as I understand it, it's got to make sure."
Mr Kennett said it was as if the club had a pedophile trainer.
"It's the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right?"
"And you might say the pedophile would do no damage, but once it was pointed out to you, you have a duty of care to those underage children not to put them in a situation of risk."
He could not guarantee a gay trainer would be welcome at Hawthorn, adding: "I don't know if we've got any.
"I'm just saying at the moment we have a duty of care to our players and staff and you have to make judgments on that. If you don't do it you end up with potential legal liability."
Mr Campagnolo is fighting the Bonnie Doon Football Club, the AFL and Benalla and District Football League in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over his 2007 sacking.
On Friday, the AFL failed in a bid to have his complaint against it struck out, with the tribunal ruling the matter must go to mediation.
Mr Campagnolo said he was appalled by Mr Kennett's remarks.
"I am not a pedophile. Does that mean every straight male doctor cannot treat any female patient?" he said.
Rodney Croome, of the Australian Coalition for Equality, said: "Jeff Kennett should immediately step aside from his role in Beyond Blue."
Jeff Kennett gay storm
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
James Campbell
July 27, 2008 12:00am
EXCLUSIVE: FORMER state premier Jeff Kennett has provoked a gay rights storm by backing a football club that sacked a trainer for being gay.
The Hawthorn president and potential Melbourne lord mayor sparked calls for his sacking after saying Bonnie Doon Football Club was within its rights to sack veteran trainer Ken Campagnolo after it found out he was gay.
"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," Mr Kennett said.
"When you are in charge of a group of young boys, as this club was as I understand it, it's got to make sure."
Mr Kennett said it was as if the club had a pedophile trainer.
"It's the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right?"
"And you might say the pedophile would do no damage, but once it was pointed out to you, you have a duty of care to those underage children not to put them in a situation of risk."
He could not guarantee a gay trainer would be welcome at Hawthorn, adding: "I don't know if we've got any.
"I'm just saying at the moment we have a duty of care to our players and staff and you have to make judgments on that. If you don't do it you end up with potential legal liability."
Mr Campagnolo is fighting the Bonnie Doon Football Club, the AFL and Benalla and District Football League in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over his 2007 sacking.
On Friday, the AFL failed in a bid to have his complaint against it struck out, with the tribunal ruling the matter must go to mediation.
Mr Campagnolo said he was appalled by Mr Kennett's remarks.
"I am not a pedophile. Does that mean every straight male doctor cannot treat any female patient?" he said.
Rodney Croome, of the Australian Coalition for Equality, said: "Jeff Kennett should immediately step aside from his role in Beyond Blue."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Update - Kennet steps in
UPDATE: the AFL has tried yet again to have Kens case against them thrown out but failed.
Ken has finally found a new job in
And keep an eye out for the Herald Sun this weekend as Jeff Kennet makes a dramtic intervention in the case.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
VCAT Today
Just a quick note to say that Kens case(s) relating to the footy club and AFL will be on at VCAT today. Mainstream press are likely to attend. As you may know from the gay press, and radio, the AFL have been sending out mixed signals, basically claiming they mean well but would rather follow than lead on the issue of sexual orientation discrimination.
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