Secondary teacher (now retired), unionist and Australian Labor Party member since 1972. 8 years teaching in the Northern Territory: 4 in Katherine, followed by 4 in Maningrida, an aboriginal community in Arnhem Land. Returned in June 2008 to Melbourne to live after 15 months in Broome.
Kevin's website is Red Bluff
Latest posts by Kevin Rennie
Iranian-Kurdish refugee Behrouz Boochani free at last from Australian offshore detention
"I just arrived in New Zealand. So exciting to get freedom after more than six years."
Racehorse slaughter divides nation over iconic Melbourne Cup
'I was going to go to the Melbourne cup this year the first time in 67 years I've just canceled I couldn't support such a horrible industry'
Australians respond to media campaign that calls out “creeping culture of secrecy”
Mixed reactions to the Australian media's #righttoknow campaign range from broad community support to denial by government ministers and senior public servants, plus some predictable cynicism on social media.
Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun still detained by Beijing after six months
There have been concerns that he has not received adequate support from the Australian government.
Australia’s digital rights advocates and tech sector push back against law undermining encryption
"The new legislation directly targets encryption and basically coerces developers, device manufacturers and service providers to allow the government to spy on people’s encrypted data."
Police raids on major media organisations expose lack of press freedom in Australia
"These continued attacks on press freedoms in Australia should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Freedom of the Press to scrutinise the Govt is crucial to liberal democracy."
Christchurch massacre brings out the best and worst in humanity
"He may have sought notoriety but we, in New Zealand, will give nothing — not even his name."
Uproar in Australia as lid lifted on Cardinal Pell's child sexual abuse convictions
"Almost immediately, the parade of aggrieved, disappointed, distressed, shocked, disbelieving, sad, angry Catholics and other Pell supporters began moving like a sullen, offended beast across the media, in unedifying protest..."
Australian court's historic rejection of coal mine highlights the impact of climate change
"NSW Land and Environment Court decision in #Australia on coal and #climatechange is sending shockwaves around the world."
Australia remembers Black Saturday on the 10th anniversary of catastrophic bushfires
"Ten entire years, and I still don’t think one single day has passed without me mentioning – or at least thinking about – the fires"
Pressure mounts for Thailand to free Melbourne-based Bahraini refugee Hakeem al-Araibi
"Australia just gave our highest award to 2 divers for risking their lives to rescue 12 Thai boys from underground caves. We know where Hakeem is. He just needs a...
Indonesian military suspected of using chemical weapons against West Papuan separatists, reports Australian newspaper
"Villagers are traumatised and very scared. They have fled into the jungle. Christmas should be a time of peace but not a time of fear."
In Cardinal George Pell's sexual abuse trial, Australian court fails to suppress the ‘nation's worst kept secret’
"The alleged suppression order on #georgepell is allowing fake news and hearsay and speculation take the place of reputable news sources."
Bushfires and floods have Australians asking: ‘What climate change?’
"While Queensland is burning, the east coast is parched & Sydney is drowning, most pollies [politicians] have their heads in the sand. Not good enough."
Australia denies Chelsea Manning entry while New Zealand gives visa thumbs up
"Hatemongers and racists like Lauren Southern and Milo [Yiannopoulos] are apparently fine, but a hero like Chelsea Manning is considered a threat."
Another Australian prime minister deposed by internal party coup
"Funny how they call young people snowflakes and entitled when they are the most emotional, inconsistent and self-serving lot in this whole country."
Cricket Australia under fire for sacking female employee over abortion reform tweets
"Clearly 1951 rolls on down the corridors of Cricket Australia, a halcyon place where a woman’s place is out the door. It’s not Cricket. It’s institutional misogyny."
Australian conference debates threats to human rights in the Asia-Pacific
The message from Australia's human rights law conference: We cannot just “support human rights until it gets hard”.
First Malaria World Congress explores ways forward as elimination efforts stall
The message from the 1st Malaria World Congress: "We're at a crossroads. We neglect #malaria at our peril."
Over 100,000 Melburnians march to #ChangetheRules for job security and better wages
"I've been to rallies that felt like a funeral march. But this was powerful. Every one of the 120,000 ppl on Melbourne's streets today is fired up... to #ChangeTheRules!"
