Idiot of the Day award goes to former Victorian state premier Jeff Kennett for
his repulsive and factually incorrect remarks about a bisexual football coach.
A former coach with the Bonnie Doon Football Club, Ken Campagnolo, is fighting the club, the district football league and the AFL for his 2007
dismissal from the club after the revelation that he was bisexual.
Kennett, who now heads the depression initiative beyondblue, commented
on the case saying, "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."Kennett went on to say, "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. It's the same
if you have a paedophile there as a masseur, right?""And you might say the
paedophile 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,
" Kennett said.As the man at the centre of the case and the subject of Kennett's
remarks, Campagnolo spoke of how he was appalled by what Kennett said about
him and the case."I am not a paedophile. Does that mean every straight male
doctor cannot treat any female patient?" Campagnolo said.Rodney Croome, of
the Australian Coalition for Equality, called for Jeff Kennett to "immediately step
aside from his role in beyondblue."That being said, Kennett only represents the
organisation and, despite his remarks, beyondblue is a fantastic organisation that
can help if you are feeling depressed about your sexuality or anything in life.
If you are feeling at all depressed or anxious and you think you'd like some help,
call 1300 22 4636 or go to beyondblue.org.au
Related Resources:
Source: Herald Sun A Call To Arms...
Comments:
Someone in Kennett's position should know better than to make such vile,
discriminatory, hateful & downright homophobic comments about gay people.
I really hope Campagnolo sues Kennett's arse off for defamation or that he's
sued for vilification at the very least just like John Laws was.
posted by Bunyip on 28-Jul-2008 15:12
By Kennett's logic, heterosexual male doctors shouldn't be allowed to treat
little girls, heterosexual female doctors shouldn't be allowed to treat little
boys. In fact, adult doctors shouldn't be allowed to treat children at all.
We'll have to train up some children doctors. Actually, no, only lesbian adult
doctors and straight male doctors could treat little boys. And only heterosexual
female doctors and gay male doctors could treat little girls.What an idiot!And
how shameful that in this century (it's the 21st, Jeff), someone could still be
confusing homosexual with paedophile. And that that someone who was
obviously smart enough to be the leader of a state at one point. That coach
who was dismissed has a good defamation case to bring against Kennett.
In fact, all gay men should take him on in a class action. He has defamed us all.
posted by tasty on 28-Jul-2008 15:45
I cannot believe I am hearing Jeff Kennett make such revoltingly uneducated,
1950's Liberal ultra-conservative comments as those he has made in regards to
the sacking of a gay coach at the Bonnie Doon Football Club! As a premier of Victoria,
and as a politician in general, I found him arrogant and his policies painfully ignorant
of anyone who lived outside the Melbourne CBD. But then he was thrown out of
government and through his work with Beyond Blue advocating for those touched
by mental illness, a cause very close to my heart, I actually found myself respecting
this man. Now, after stating that the football club's veteran coach Ken Campagnolo,
is as dangerous around the young kids of the club as a pedophile, I am outraged
and disgusted. Kennett went so far as to say "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. 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. It's the same if you have a pedophile there
as a masseur, right?" So much for living in the 21st century! What sort of human
being possesses such an arguably inaccurate opinion in this day and age, let alone
goes out and publicises it? Those people who sacked Mr Campagnolo on these
grounds are just as bad. Just when you think times are changing and people are
becoming more compassionate, that we really have made huge progress as a
society, this sort of thing rears it's foul head just to remind you that some people
are just too pathetic to ever change! posted by madmatty on 28-Jul-2008 16:30
I sincerely hope this disgusting outburst of Jeff Kennett brings the man down and
shuts him up forever. It is beyond being an idiot, it is ignorant.People have been
stood down from football clubs for racial comments, sexual indiscretions, drug use
etc. To imply gay men are paedophiles and the consequences of such comments,
requires the same judgement. posted by stevie on 28-Jul-2008 22:02
In addition to my previous post; where does Kennett get off commenting about
a matter that has, to the best of my knowledge, absolutely nothing to do with him?
Why can't he just mind his own bloody business?He should now do the right thing
& resign from his position with Beyond Blue lest he taint that fine organisation with
his vileness. If he doesn't, then Beyond Blue should sack him immediately & publicly
disassociate itself from him & his hatemongering comments."In fact, all gay men
should take him on in a class action. He has defamed us all."Here! Here! tasty.
I couldn't agree more. Know any good gay solicitors who'd be willing to take on
the case? posted by Bunyip on 29-Jul-2008 15:15
Disgusting! He's as bad as Howard, Ruddock and other conservatives. What really
gets me is that even though he made an incorrect and false statement; other
people will be jumping up and down agreeing with him. posted by someguy
on 29-Jul-2008 18:34
Flag this message
Jeff Kennett
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:29 PM
From:"dude deisel"
After being screwed over by Jeff Kennett with his workcover legislation he
already has made my life a living hell, how dare you allow him to represent
beyond blue when he makes an ignorant arrogant remark that l am a paedophile
because I am Gay He should be sacked from his position for his remark. The last
thing you need is him representing yourselves I am totally appalled and horrified
why should I support your organization anymore. He has alone in a few short
moments setback and made beyond blue insignificant and irrelevant to about
10% or 2 million people of Australia because of their sexuallity what a stupid
dumb thing to let happen.Totally disgusted Doug posted by dudedeisel
on 29-Jul-2008 20:42
Well put. I agree with just about everything you've said. BeyondBlue should dump
Kennett as their representative and get someone with more credibility and sensibility.
posted by someguy on 29-Jul-2008 22:36
Another point; sin't the football club is in breach of anti-discrimination legislation
for terminating the guy? i thought it might fall under unlawful dismissal.
posted by someguy on 30-Jul-2008 7:06
I remember Kennet's tenure as Premier of Victoria well. Kennet, in his infinite
wisdom, decided to close down most of the hospitals and clinics that treated
alcoholic and drug addicted people, with this excuse, 'They are just weak willed!'
That sort of ignorant arrogance has been a hallmark of Kennets years of political
pontificaitons, and most were thinly veiled lies and excuses, not to help society,
but to reduce government spending, at societal cost. Kennet has NO BUSINESS
being involved in the depression asistance agency, for he has been the cause of
much hardship and pain, both physical and mental, for many suffering alcoholics
and addicts. This latest fiasco, equating gay men with being a risk for sexual
assault, shows how that sociopathic bigot really thinks.RESIGN NOW KENNET!
posted by joosey on 31-Jul-2008 18:49
To everyone at Beyond Blue,I feel I must make my feelings heard in regards to the comments made by Mr Jeff Kennett in relation to the sacked coach at the Bonnie Doon Football Club.I was not a fan of Mr Kennett when he was in government, and I would go so far as to say I could neither stand his politics nor his arrogant behaviour; as a resident in rural Victoria I considered his policies to be out of touch with regional areas and detrimental to the wellbeing
of many, many living in these areas where services were cut. But when he
became involved with Beyond Blue my feelings about him greatly changed
and I found myself admitting to many that I respected him and appreciated
his work both on a personal and professional level. Personally, I have suffered
from depression and anxiety for many, many years (I was 11 years old when
I had my first panic attack), and the work Beyond Blue, along with Mr Kennett,
has done has been phenomenal in not only helping myself but many countless
others like myself who have suffered from the effects of such debilitating illness.
When I recovered from my anxiety and depression I got to work studying counselling and mental health so that I could then help others fight and win the same battle I had fought. Now I am employed as a counsellor in community health in a regional area of Victoria. I also happen to be a gay man, and I have
to say that the comments Mr Kennett made last week about gay men working
in football teams has left me gutted, disappointed, angry and confused.How can
a man who advocates mental health make such awful, defamatory and especially
uneducated statements? There is no scientific proof to support his comments, in
fact there is a significant amount of fact based research to prove him wrong, and
regardless of further statements made this week, he was not taken out of context.
He said "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.
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. It's the same if you have a pedophile there
as a masseur, right?"There is no way to take out of context that last sentence:
"It's the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right?"What sort of
message is this statement sending to all the gay men in this country? What is it
telling those young boys who are struggling with their sexuality, burdened by
the fear of being hated, hurt and ostracised by a community that remains
confused, especially in regional areas, about such things?Mr Kennett has insulted
me and I find it offensive that Beyond Blue continues to endorse his involvement,
regardless of the motives and the good work he has done in this capacity. That he
continues with you is contradictive to the harmful comments he has made and
therefore negligent on Beyond Blue's behalf towards the many thousands of
people who access your services, including my own clients I refer to you for
information.As a man who works in mental health, and who has known what
it is like to suffer mental illness, I look to Beyond Blue with great respect and
appreciation. I now look upon the link between Mr Kennett and Beyond Blue
as detrimental to the great work this organisation has done and will continue
to do in the future.Yours sincerely,Matthew posted by madmatty on 31-Jul-2008
19:34
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