Quentin Kenihan wants to be a voice for the disabled if elected to Adelaide City Council
HE’S already an author, film critic, disability advocate and movie star — now Quentin Kenihan reveals why he sees his future in Town Hall.
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AUTHOR, filmmaker and movie star — now Adelaide identity Quentin Kenihan wants to add City Councillor to his list of career highlights.
The 43-year-old disability advocate will nominate as an area councillor for the Adelaide City Council at the November election.
Mr Kenihan, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, said he wanted to give back to the city where he has lived for 20 years.
“I thought how can I help the council and the community of the city of Adelaide, and thought why not give it a go,” he said.
“I want to inspire people that anyone can have a say and help run their council — I know that seems lame and stereotypical, but it’s true.
“I’m at a point now that I’ve done everything that I’ve ever wanted to do.
“I’m here to make it (council) a bit more colourful. I just hope that constituents will trust me to take what they want into council so I can be their advocate.”
Mr Kenihan, who became a household name aged seven when he appeared in a documentary with Mike Willesee, said his priorities would include increasing accessibility for visitors and residents.
“I want this place to be more accessible, I don’t mean just only for people in wheelchairs but blind, deaf, the old,” he said.
“I think there should be more scatter crossings, more pedestrian lights, particularly on South Tce … I think the footpaths should be better in some areas.”
The Mad Max Fury Road star — he played the character Corpus Collosus in the 2015 blockbuster — will also urge the council to publish a database of accessible restaurants and businesses.
“I have a list in my head of the toilets that are accessible, the restaurants I can get into but I’d like to see the council publish a list or database,” he said.
Mr Kenihan is an ambassador for Touched by Olivia, an organisation established to build inclusive playgrounds in the memory of eight-month-old Olivia Perkins, who died of a rare illness.
Mr Kenihan was involved in the design of the charity’s first playground — part financed by Marion Council, the State Government and Edwardstown Rotary — which is close to completion at Park Holme.
He said he wants to see a network of similar playgrounds built in the Parklands.
He said he was also passionate about bringing more entertainment into the city.
“I also want to see Hindley St safer, I don’t feel safe down there at all at the moment,” he said.