Tony Kelly (politician)
Tony Kelly ALGA | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
| In office 17 September 1997 – 6 June 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Watkins |
| Minister for Planning | |
| In office 8 December 2009 – 28 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kristina Keneally |
| Succeeded by | Brad Hazzard |
| New South Wales Minister for Lands | |
| In office 3 June 2004 – 28 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Amery |
| Succeeded by | Brad Hazzard |
| New South Wales Minister for Infrastructure | |
| In office 8 December 2009 – 28 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Tripodi |
| Succeeded by | Brad Hazzard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anthony Bernard Kelly 25 August 1948 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor Party (circa 1975–2011)[1][2] |
| Spouse | Anne Kelly |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Website | Legislative Webpage |
Anthony Bernard Kelly (born 25 August 1948) is an Australian former politician, who was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council representing the Labor Party from 1997 until 2011.
Following an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2011,[3] it was found that Kelly engaged in corrupt conduct during the government purchase of a beach property in northern Sydney. Kelly did not face criminal charges.[4]
Early life and background
Kelly was educated at St Mary's Catholic School in Wellington, New South Wales and at St Stanislaus' College in Bathurst, New South Wales.[1] He undertook further studies in local government administration at Mitchell College of Advanced Education, now Charles Sturt University.
Kelly worked for 20 years with the Wellington Shire Council.[1]
Political career
Kelly entered the Legislative Council in September 1987 and served until the 1988 election,[5] which his party lost. Kelly re-entered the Council in September 1997 and was re-elected at the 2003 and 2011 elections for eight-year terms; resigning from the Council with immediate effect on 6 June 2011.[6][7]
During his time in parliament, Kelly served as Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources (Lands), 2003 to 2004; Minister for Local Government, 2003 to 2005; Minister for Emergency Services, 2003 to 2009; Minister for Rural Affairs, 2003 to 2008; Minister for Lands, 2004 to 2011; Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources, 2005; Minister for Juvenile Justice, 2005 to 2008; Minister for Justice, 2005 to 2008; Minister for Police, 2008 to 2009; and Minister for Planning and Minister for Infrastructure, 2009 to 2011.[5]
Political controversy
On 20 June 2011, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced[8] that it would hold a public inquiry into matters arising from the purchase of property at Currawong, Pittwater by the NSW Government. Concluding the investigation in mid-December, the ICAC found that Kelly engaged in corrupt conduct with respect to the purchase of the property by the NSW Government.[4] The ICAC found that Kelly, as the then Minister for Lands, authorised the purchase even though he knew he was not authorised to do so, and that he backdated a letter to before the caretaker period of government commenced,[9][10] knowing that it would be used by a public servant to falsely represent that written authority had been given to authorise the purchase.[3][11] The allegations generated significant publicity.[12][13] On release of the findings, the Labor Party immediately moved to terminate Kelly's membership.[2][14]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Kelly, Anthony. "Inaugural Speech, Members" (PDF). Hansard: New South Wales Legislative Council (PDF). Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Ex-minister faces forgery charge over $12m property buy: ICAC". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ a b "ICAC has confirmed it will investigate former NSW Labor minister Tony Kelly over the sale of Currawong". The Australian. AAP. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ a b Shanahan, Leo (13 December 2011). "Ex-Labor minister Tony Kelly may face charges". The Australian. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ a b "The Hon. (Tony) Anthony Bernard KELLY, ALGA MLC". Former members. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ "Former NSW minister Tony Kelly resigns". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ "Former NSW minister quits politics". ABC News. Australia. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ "ICAC public inquiry into matters arising from Currawong property purchase". Current investigations: Operation Napier. Independent Commission Against Corruption. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Tranter, Chi (6 July 2011). "Kelly backdated letter at café, ICAC told". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Shanahan, Leo (12 July 2011). "Paying the political price for Currawong". The Australian. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ Nicholls, Sean (20 June 2011). "ICAC to investigate former minister Tony Kelly over purchase of Currawong". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Nicholls, Sean (22 March 2011). "Labor hit by property scandal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Shanahan, Leo (8 July 2011). "Former planning minister Tony Kelly vowed to delve into land sale probe". The Australian. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Foschia, Liz (12 December 2011). "Kelly engaged in corrupt conduct, ICAC finds". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 19 December 2011.