James Harley Kennan SC (25 February 1946 – 4 August 2010)[1] was an Australian politician and later adjunct professor of law at Deakin University.[2]
Jim Kennan | |
|---|---|
| 23rd Deputy Premier of Victoria | |
| In office 10 August 1990 – 6 October 1992 | |
| Premier | Joan Kirner |
| Preceded by | Joan Kirner |
| Succeeded by | Pat McNamara |
| Leader of the Opposition of Victoria | |
| In office 22 March 1993 – 29 June 1993 | |
| Premier | Jeff Kennett |
| Deputy | Bob Sercombe |
| Preceded by | Joan Kirner |
| Succeeded by | John Brumby |
| Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria | |
| In office 22 March 1993 – 29 June 1993 | |
| Deputy | Bob Sercombe |
| Preceded by | Joan Kirner |
| Succeeded by | John Brumby |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Broadmeadows | |
| In office 1 October 1988 – 29 June 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Culpin |
| Succeeded by | John Brumby |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Thomastown | |
| In office 1 June 1982 – 23 August 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Dolph Eddy |
| Succeeded by | Abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Harley Kennan 25 February 1946 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 4 August 2010 (aged 64) |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse | Janet Alexander (m. 1969) |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Profession | Barrister |
Kennan earned a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne. He was a member of parliament between 1982 and 1993, initially in the Victorian Legislative Council, and then in the Legislative Assembly as the member for Broadmeadows and was Deputy Premier of Victoria from 1990 to 1992.
After the defeat of the Labor Party Government at the 1992 state election, and the later retirement of leader Joan Kirner in March 1993 he became the Leader of the Opposition until his shock retirement from Parliament three months later. He was succeeded as leader and member for Broadmeadows by a former member of the Legislative Council, John Brumby. To date, Kennan is the last Victorian Labor leader who did not become Premier.
He worked as a Senior Counsel in the Victorian legal system, most notably representing Jack Thomas at his re-trial on terrorism charges in late 2008.[3]
Death
Kennan died on 4 August 2010, aged 64, after a battle with cancer.[4]
References