Lynne Kosky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lynne Kosky
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Lynne Kosky in 2009 in her role as Minister for Public Transport
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| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Altona |
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| In office 30 March 1996 – 18 January 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Carole Marple |
| Succeeded by | Jill Hennessy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lynne Janice Kosky
2 September 1958 Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | 4 December 2014 (aged 56) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse | Jim Williamson |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | Social worker |
Lynne Janice Kosky (born 2 September 1958 – died 4 December 2014) was an Australian politician. She was a very important minister in the government of Victoria. Lynne Kosky represented the electoral district of Altona in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the Labor Party. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1996 to 2010.
From 1999 until she retired, she held important jobs as a minister. These included looking after education and public transport. During her time, public transport in Victoria grew a lot. This happened after many years where roads got more money than public transport. Lynne Kosky helped get a lot of money for public transport. This was especially true when the Victorian Transport Plan was being created. She also made many new laws in her minister roles. On 18 January 2010, Lynne Kosky announced she would leave Parliament. She said it was because of "significant health problems in her family."
Contents
Early Life and Start in Politics
Lynne Kosky was born in Melbourne in 1958. She had a twin brother named Mark. She went to Footscray High School. In 1980, she finished her studies at the University of Melbourne. She earned a degree in Social Work. During her last year of studies, she met Jim Williamson, who would later become her husband. He was a teacher.
After a short time without a job, Kosky became a social worker. She worked for the Victorian Department of Education. However, she found that counselling was not for her. So, she became a community education officer instead.
Joining the Labor Party
Lynne Kosky was inspired by Joan Kirner, a female politician. This led her to join the Labor Party in 1985. She then worked as an advisor for the government. A year later, she was elected to the council of the City of Footscray. In 1988, she became the Mayor of Footscray.
She was also on the Board of the Footscray Football Club. This club is now known as the Western Bulldogs. In 1993, while expecting her first child, Hana, Kosky tried to become the Labor Party candidate for the Altona seat in Parliament. This was a safe Labor area in Melbourne's west. She did not win that time, losing to Carole Marple. However, she was chosen and elected as the MP for Altona in 1996.
Parliamentary Career and Ministerial Roles
When Lynne Kosky first became an MP, the Labor Party was not in power. In February 1999, there was a change in the shadow cabinet. This is a group of opposition MPs who would be ministers if their party won. Kosky hoped to get the important education role. But the Labor leader, John Brumby, gave it to Mary Delahunty. Kosky was given a junior education role instead. This role focused on employment, higher education, and training.
First Ministerial Appointments
In the 1999 state election, the Labor Party won. They were led by Steve Bracks. They defeated the Liberal government led by Jeff Kennett. After the election, Kosky became the Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment. This was similar to her shadow role. In 2000, she also took on the Finance role. She was part of a special committee that checked how the government spent money.
Minister for Education and Training
In February 2002, Lynne Kosky became the Minister for Education and Training. Soon after, she started something she was very proud of. This was the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). VCAL is a practical, "hands-on" option for students. It is an alternative to the traditional Victorian Certificate of Education.
In 2006, Kosky spoke about her views on education. She believed that education and training are the most important things. They help people live good lives. They also help people get skills and be creative. Education helps people contribute to society. It makes communities stronger and fairer. She said a good education system should meet today's needs. It should also prepare people for the future.
Updating Education Laws
During her time as Education Minister, Kosky looked at many laws. On 11 February 2005, she released a paper. It was about reviewing 15 different laws for Victoria's education system. She said that Victoria's main Education Act was very old. It was first made in 1873. Even though it was updated in 1958, it had never been fully changed.
Kosky explained that old laws might not fit today's needs. For example, the laws did not reflect that students now stay in school longer. She said they needed laws for the 21st century. This would help schools and teachers. It would also help students get skills for jobs.
The Education and Training Reform Bill
Kosky's review led to a new law in February 2006. It was called the Education and Training Reform Bill. These were the biggest changes to education laws in 100 years. She told Parliament that many parts of the old 1958 Act were from 1872. The new law aimed to update how government schools worked.
She said they talked to many people involved in education. The new law aimed to:
- Include important principles about democracy.
- Create a smooth education system in Victoria. This would offer many paths for learning throughout life.
- Replace 12 old laws with one new, combined law.
- Make changes to help deliver flexible services across Victoria.
Minister for Public Transport and the Arts
After the 2006 election, Lynne Kosky was appointed Minister for Public Transport and the Arts. In April 2007, she faced criticism. An email was shared with the media. In it, she asked other politicians not to send her complaints about Melbourne's public transport. She defended this on the radio. She said she was not avoiding her job. She said the aim was to make communication faster. This would help solve transport complaints more quickly.
In December 2007, she defended delays with the myki smartcard system. This system was for public transport tickets. She said it was a complex system. It was important to get it right.
The Victorian Transport Plan
In 2008, Kosky was very important in creating the Victorian Transport Plan. She secured a lot of money for transport in Victoria. This was the most funding in many years. The plan included over $38 billion for projects like:
- New trains and tracks.
- More trams and buses.
- The Regional Rail Link.
- The Melbourne Metro Rail Project, a new rail tunnel.
- Better regional roads.
- A new tunnel under the Maribyrnong River.
- Connecting jobs and housing.
- Removing trucks from inner-west streets.
- Completing Melbourne's ring road.
- The Peninsula Link.
- More trains for regional areas.
- Extending the train network to new growth areas.
- Removing a major level crossing at Springvale Road.
Bus Safety Bill
In December 2008, Kosky introduced the Bus Safety Bill. This law aimed to make Victoria's bus industry safer. She said the Bill would create new, modern safety rules for buses. It was part of a bigger plan to update transport safety laws. She mentioned that the bus industry had a good safety record. However, serious accidents, though rare, could happen. She gave examples of past bus crashes. The Bill aimed to keep and improve the good safety record of buses in Victoria.
Criticism of Performance
In January 2009, Lynne Kosky was heavily criticised. This was for her work as the Minister for Public Transport. Many people and the opposition called for her to resign. This happened after hundreds of train cancellations during a heatwave. Kosky refused to resign. The Labor Party supported her. The acting Premier, Rob Hulls, said Kosky was doing a good job. However, a poll by the Herald Sun newspaper found that 88% of readers thought she should be fired. The Age newspaper also wrote that she should be sacked.
Transport Integration Bill
On 10 December 2009, Lynne Kosky introduced the Transport Integration Bill. This happened after she led a review of transport laws in Victoria. The Bill brought new ideas for transport policy. It was the biggest change to transport laws in over 25 years. Kosky said the Bill would help plan how people and goods move across the state. It aimed for an integrated and sustainable transport system.
This meant all types of transport would work together. This included public transport, roads, rail, and walking. It also meant transport planning would consider social, economic, and environmental impacts. For the first time, the Bill brought all parts of transport together under one law. This included roads, rail, ports, and marine transport. This would ensure that all transport decisions worked towards a common goal.
Resignation from Parliament
In January 2010, Lynne Kosky resigned from her minister roles and from Parliament. This was because of health issues in her family. A special election, called a by-election, was held in Altona on 13 February 2010. Jill Hennessy was elected to replace her.
Public Offices Held in Victoria
- 2006–2010: Minister for Public Transport and Minister for the Arts
- 2002–2006: Minister for Education and Training
- 2000–2002: Minister for Finance
- 1999–2002: Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment
- 1999: Shadow Minister for Education and Training
- 1996–1999: Shadow Minister for Housing and Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs
- 1996–2010: Member of Parliament for Altona
- 1996–1999: Member of the Federal-State Relations Committee
- 1988–1989: Mayor of City of Footscray
- 1986–1990: Footscray City Councillor
Later Life and State Funeral
In August 2011, Lynne Kosky was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was receiving treatment for it. On 4 December 2014, Kosky passed away from the disease in Melbourne. She was 56 years old.
State Funeral Service
Lynne Kosky was given a State funeral on 12 December 2014. It was held at Williamstown Town Hall in Melbourne. Many important people attended. This included the Premier of Victoria, representatives of the Governor of Victoria, and the Federal Leader of the Opposition. Former premiers, current and former ministers, and other important figures from education and culture were also there. Readings and tributes were given by her son Jackson and daughter Hana, among others.
