Jill Hennessy (politician)

Jill Hennessy (born 17 March 1972) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since February 2010, representing the seat of Altona. She was Minister for Health in the Andrews Ministry from December 2014 to November 2018,[1] and was Attorney-General from November 2018 to December 2020, the second female Attorney-General in Victoria's history.[2] On 16 December 2020, she announced she would step down from the role of Victorian Attorney-General effective immediately to spend more time with her family, but would stay in Parliament and recontest her seat at the 2022 election.[3]

The Honourable

Jill Hennessy

MP
Attorney-General of Victoria
In office
29 November 2018 – 16 December 2020
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byMartin Pakula
Succeeded byJaclyn Symes
Minister for the Coordination of Justice and Community Safety
Assumed office
3 April 2020
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byPosition established
Minister for Health
In office
4 December 2014 – 29 November 2018
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byDavid Davis
Succeeded byJenny Mikakos
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Altona
Assumed office
13 February 2010
Preceded byLynne Kosky
Personal details
Born (1972-03-17) 17 March 1972
Political partyLabor Party
Alma materMonash University
University of Melbourne
ProfessionLawyer
Websitejillhennessy.com.au

A former candidate for preselection for the federal seats of Holt and Isaacs, Hennessy is a former State President of the Victorian Labor Party.[4] When state minister and Altona MLA Lynne Kosky resigned early in 2010, Hennessy won endorsement for Labor preselection. She was elected to the seat in the by-election, but Labor suffered a large swing to the Liberal Party.

Hennessy was educated at Avila College, Mount Waverley, and then Monash University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. She also holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Melbourne. Prior to entering the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, Hennessy practised as a solicitor specialising in personal injury and employment law, and was a senior advisor to former Victorian premier Steve Bracks.[4]

In 2016, she was awarded the Thornett Award for Promotion of Reason by the Australian Skeptics for "courageously facing down those who misrepresent and mislead the public in their promotion of dodgy medical claims and practices".[5]

Hennessy is a member of Labor's left faction.[2]

References
  1. "Daniel Andrews sworn in as Victorian Premier, unveils ministerial portfolios". ABC News. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  2. Willingham, Richard. "Hennessy becomes Attorney-General in re-elected Andrews' new gender-balanced Cabinet". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. "'Something had to give': Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy stands down from ministry". ABC news. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  4. "2010 Altona By-election". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  5. Richard Saunders (27 November 2016). "Skeptic Zone episode 423". skepticzone.libsyn.com (Podcast). 38-44 minutes in. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
Parliament of Victoria
Preceded by
Lynne Kosky		 Member for Altona
2010–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Martin Pakula		 Attorney-General of Victoria
2018–2020		 Succeeded by
Jaclyn Symes
Preceded by
David Davis		 Minister for Health
2014–2018		 Succeeded by
Jenny Mikakos
Ministry created Minister for Ambulance Services
2014–2018
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