David Kennedy (Australian politician)

Andrew David Kennedy (born 20 March 1940) is a former Australian politician. Born in Ulverstone, Tasmania, he attended University High School in Melbourne and then the University of Melbourne, after which he became a teacher in Victorian state schools. In 1969, he was elected as a Labor member to the Australian House of Representatives in the by-election for the seat of Bendigo following Noel Beaton's resignation. He held the seat until his defeat in 1972. In 1982, he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Bendigo, and in 1985 he transferred to Bendigo West, a position he held until 1992 when the Labor government was defeated.[1]

David Kennedy
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Bendigo
In office
7 June 1969 – 2 December 1972
Preceded byNoel Beaton
Succeeded byJohn Bourchier
Personal details
Born (1940-03-20) 20 March 1940
Ulverstone, Tasmania
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
RelationsCyril Kennedy (brother)
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
OccupationTeacher

Kennedy's older brother, Cyril James Kennedy, also served in the Victorian state parliament, as the member for the Legislative Council seat of Waverley from 1979 to 1992.[2] The brothers are both fifth-generation descendants (great-great-great-grandchildren) of Mannalargenna, a 19th-century Aboriginal Tasmanian leader.[3] Consequently, using certain definitions of Aboriginality, some sources list them as amongst the few Indigenous Australians to have been elected to Australian legislatures.[4] However, Neville Bonner, who entered the Australian Senate in 1971, two years after David Kennedy's election to the House, is generally recognised as the first Aboriginal parliamentarian.[5] Ken Wyatt, elected in 2010, is generally reckoned as the first Aboriginal member of the lower house.[6][7][8]

References
  1. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  2. Kennedy, Cyril James – Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  3. Kennedy, (Andrew) David – Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  4. Hannah Gobbett (13 August 2015). "Indigenous parliamentarians, federal and state: a quick guide" Archived 6 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine – Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  5. For example, in Electoral milestones for Indigenous Australians – Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  6. "Australia has come a long way: Wyatt". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  7. Ker, Peter (23 August 2010). "Wyatt likes the odd but keeping his cards close in Hasluck". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. "First Australian Aboriginal in House of Representatives". BBC. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Noel Beaton		 Member for Bendigo
1969–1972		 Succeeded by
John Bourchier
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Daryl McClure		 Member for Bendigo
1982–1985		 District abolished
District created Member for Bendigo West
1985–1992		 Succeeded by
Max Turner
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