I was absolutely shocked to find out that former prime minister Julia Gillard has been named the new chair of the mental health organisation Beyond Blue, replacing former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett.

Mr Kennett was seen as a strong, harsh premier, but in his position at Beond Blue he came out as someone I ended up having respect for.

Julia Gillard on the other hand is a person who took out Kevin Rudd as prime minister. She showed no sympathy in that context. Julia Gillard is really just a nice facade and as for someone who undertakes activity like she did, I do not believe she is suitable in taking on this position at Beyond Blue.

She did not send a good message out to others, and cannot in a mental health role.

It seems some groups will simply take on any person with a celebrity name attached to them, as has occurred here and the organisation here will pay the price for that - as will the public.

Julia Gillard introduced legislation as PM to
help fund the National
Disability Insurance Scheme. She has served on the Board
of Beyond Blue for three years. Serving on the Board of the
Depression and Anxiety Initiative since 2014. She has a
"lifetime passion" for mental issues formed growing up with her
father who worked as a psychiatric nurse. She tells us that -

"Through my father and his window on the world I got to know
something about mental health and mental health care facilities.
That was in the days when mental health wasn't talked
about when people who were treated were in hospitals
behind high walls and
people didn't want to talk about it and didn't want to think
about it. Now we are prepared to talk about our own mental
health, we are prepared to talk about anxiety and depression and
suicide in our community. We are prepared to face up to the
fact that people that need assistance don't get the help they
require when they most need it."

Jeff Kennett explained that:

"The Board were looking for a person who had a natural
attachment and interest in matters to do with mental health.
Who had a very clear position of strength in trying to argue
and advocate against discrimination in all its shapes and forms.
We wanted a person who we knew was clearly articulate... We also
wanted someone who could open doors, be they political or
commercial."

Mr Kennett said that the former PM was the second only PM to
join a community organisation after leaving office. Malcolm
Fraser did it to Care Australia and now Julia Gillard is using
her past experiences to give something back to the community.

The former PM will take up the role on July 1st 2017.

The great strength of Beyond Blue over the last 17 years is
as Mr Kennett pointed out - the fact that it's been
bipartisan. It belongs to no-one or no political party. It
exists only to serve a broader community.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-21/julia-gillard-to-replace-jeff-kennett-as-beyond-blue-chair/8372512

cont'd ...

For Beyond Blue to have a former Prime Minister as its
leader will ensure that the organisation can continue
to open doors politically, commercially and with the
community.

Dear Foxy,

Hear hear.

Well said.

The ego of politicians.

Gillard was and will ever be seen as a disloyal, divisive figure who put her own ambition first.

Was the vacant position ever advertised? What selection process?

Politicians take care of politicians. It is inconceivable that there wasn't someone more suitable from business or other leadership in the community.

The former Prime Minister was elected unanimously by the
Board of Beyond Blue.

Jeff Kennett explained that:

"Gillard was the ideal person to lead the organisation
and her unanimous election by the Board reinforced its
bipartisan commitment to improving the welfare of
people with mental health conditions."

"In her we have found a person who is personally
committed to the cause and has the ability to cut through
the clutter and drive change for the well being of all
Australians."

"Julia Gillard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience
to her role as Chair given the commitment she made to
driving mental health reform during her time as Prime
Minister."

"There is no doubt that the former Prime Minister will be
a champion for people living with mental illness and her
appointment as Chair will ensure that the mental health
of all Australians continues to be a national priority"

Jeff Kennett stated that he shall miss working with
the organisation:

"I'll miss it, but I'll miss it less knowing that in
Julia's hands the organisation will go from strength to
strength."