The Kennett years (1992- 1999).
Jeff Kennett, representing the Liberal-National Party Coalition was elected as Premier of Victoria in 1992.
The new Government’s program was to ensure better value for public expenditure on education and health, to amalgamate local councils and to strengthen the Victorian economy that had been brought to its knees under the Cain and Kirner Labor Governments. The Kennett program saw reform of the Victorian economy and improved government stewardship. It included the privatisation of certain public utilities and steps to curb the power of militant trade unions. The Kennet government was also a time of innovative social reform in areas such as mental health and drug policy.
Unprecedented restructure and development occurred in a number of key areas within Victoria during his term in office, leaving Victoria Australia’s leading state, rather than the ‘rust bucket’ the Kennett Government had inherited. Employment grew massively and state debt fell.
