Simon Kennedy

Early life and education Kennedy was born in West Ryde, Sydney. Since his mother worked full time as a teacher, he was substantially raised by his grandfather, a World War II veteran. His grandmother had also seen wartime service, as an Army Nurse. Having graduated from university, he was hired by the law firm Clayton Utz, where he provided advice on energy reforms to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

However, he soon moved to McKinsey & Company. He returned to Sydney in 2016 to establish the firm's Australian Public Sector Practice, and was made a partner. After leaving McKinsey in 2022, he formed the tech investment firm Banksia with former Uber executive Damian Kassabgi. The Age has reported that Kennedy is aligned with the National Right faction of the Liberal Party, although political commentator Niki Savva has written that he has declined to identify with any faction.

2022 Australian federal election Kennedy made a bid to succeed the retiring member for the Division of Bennelong, John Alexander.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy indicated some libertarian preferences. At an event called A Stand in the Park he expressed concerns about the vaccine mandates which restricted travel and business. In a later radio interview, he clarified his view, saying:

Entering Parliament In early 2024 the Division of Cook became open, with a by-election slated for Saturday 13 April. Kennedy and his family moved into the community before the vote, making their home in Woolooware, then began campaigning in shops and beaches. He had won support from several party elders in the process, including former NSW Premiers Nick Greiner and Dominic Perrottet, then state Liberal leader Mark Speakman, along with sitting federal parliamentarians Angus Taylor and Senator Dave Sharma. Kennedy's campaign message was reported to be aspirational, supporting Australians who want to improve their lives. He was sworn into Parliament in Canberra on 14 May 2024.

Shadow Ministry On 14 September 2025, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley appointed Kennedy to the Coalition's Shadow Ministry. He was tasked with three newly created assistant portfolios: Shadow Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Shadow Assistant Minister for the Digital Economy, and Shadow Assistant Minister for the Scrutiny of Government Waste.

Parliament In his first speech to Parliament, Kennedy spoke of generational inequality and argued for deregulation of small businesses and for a mechanism where states and councils would compete for funding, with money going to those who can deliver services like housing, healthcare, and infrastructure quickly and effectively.

Kennedy was returned to Parliament in the 2025 Australian federal election, with ABC reporting him winning 57.2% of the two-party-preferred vote.

Policy positions

Energy and climate Kennedy has stated that climate and energy policy should prioritise reducing emissions while maintaining affordable and reliable power, with an emphasis on technology-driven solutions and a technology-neutral energy mix. In parliamentary debate, he argued that governments should focus on outcomes rather than particular technologies, asking "how can we get more clean energy at a lower cost?" and criticising approaches that privilege specific technologies over results. He has warned that rapid growth in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing would significantly increase electricity demand, arguing that future energy policy must account for large-scale, continuous power requirements.

During internal Liberal Party debates in late 2025 over whether to retain the party's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, several outlets characterised Kennedy's position as undecided. The Australian Financial Review reported that he was among four MPs regarded as unclear on whether to retain the target, a view also reflected in reporting by The Australian and Sky News.

According to political commentator Niki Savva, Kennedy had earlier stood out during a party-room discussion as the only Liberal MP to even tentatively express support for net zero emissions targets, warning colleagues that the party needed to be "serious on climate and reducing energy prices" to avoid electoral backlash. Savva reports that Kennedy nevertheless stopped short of a firm public commitment to net zero, instead emphasising innovation and technology as the means to reduce emissions and electricity costs.

Gambling reform Kennedy is a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Gambling Harm Minimisation alongside Labor MP Mike Freelander and independent MP Kate Chaney. He has publicly stated there is a "unity ticket in this parliament to address gambling harm" and supports a ban on gambling advertising, criticising the reliance of major parties on gambling revenue.

Personal life Kennedy is married to Nila Dharan, an American-born infectious disease doctor whom he met while working overseas.