Neil Mitchell has questioned the appointment of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard as the new chairperson of beyondblue.

Ms Gillard will replace Jeff Kennett after 17 years in the top job.

But Neil Mitchell says it’s too soon for her to lead the mental health agency.

‘This decision on Julia Gillard to become head of beyondblue, I think it’s wrong,’ he said.

‘It’s too early. Julia Gillard is too divisive still.

‘The memories of her leadership are too raw.

‘(Jeff Kennett) reinvented himself before beyondblue, she hasn’t.

‘Remember when she was Prime Minister, she opposed gay marriage, that was political expediency, we all knew that. 

‘She got out of parliament, changed her mind almost at once. It’s hypocrisy.

‘I’m sure she will put in much more than the $45,000 she’s being paid to do it.

‘But beyondblue needs public confidence, at this stage I don’t think in a broad sense, Julia Gillard has that public confidence.’

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