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
PremierJoan Kirner
Preceded byJoan Kirner
Succeeded byPat McNamara
Leader of the Opposition of Victoria
In office
22 March 1993 – 29 June 1993
PremierJeff Kennett
DeputyBob Sercombe
Preceded byJoan Kirner
Succeeded byJohn Brumby
Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria
In office
22 March 1993 – 29 June 1993
DeputyBob Sercombe
Preceded byJoan Kirner
Succeeded byJohn Brumby
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Broadmeadows
In office
1 October 1988 – 29 June 1993
Preceded byJack Culpin
Succeeded byJohn Brumby
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Thomastown
In office
1 June 1982 – 23 August 1988
Preceded byDolph Eddy
Succeeded byAbolished
Personal details
Born
James Harley Kennan

(1946-02-25)25 February 1946
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died4 August 2010(2010-08-04) (aged 64)
Political partyLabor Party
SpouseJanet Alexander (m. 1969)
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
ProfessionBarrister

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

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Kennan died on 4 August 2010, aged 64, after a battle with cancer.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "James Harley Kennan". Re-Member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Jim Kennan". Deakin University. Archived from the original on 17 April 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  3. ^ Sarah-Jane Collins (29 October 2008). "Jack Thomas spared further jail time". The Age. The Age. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
  4. ^ "Former deputy premier Jim Kennan dies". The Age. AAP. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010.

 

Victorian Legislative Council
Preceded by Member for Thomastown
June 1982 – August 1988
Succeeded by
seat abolished
Political offices
Preceded by Attorney-General of Victoria
8 September 1983 – 13 December 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Attorney-General of Victoria
2 April 1990 – 5 October 1992
Succeeded by
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Broadmeadows
October 1988 – June 1993
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the
Labor Party, Victoria

1993
Succeeded by