Gus Kelly (politician)

This article is about the Australian politician. For the Irish cricketer (1877–1951), see Gus Kelly. For his son, also an Irish cricketer (1901–1980), see Gustavus Kelly.
The Honourable
Gus Kelly
MLA
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Bathurst
In office
30 May 1925  7 September 1927
Serving with Fitzpatrick, Dooley
Preceded by Charles Rosenthal
Succeeded by Himself
In office
8 October 1927  18 May 1932
Preceded by Himself
Succeeded by Gordon Wilkins
In office
21 May 1935  25 March 1967
Preceded by Gordon Wilkins
Succeeded by Clive Osborne
Minister for Health
In office
16 May 1941  30 June 1950
Preceded by Herbert FitzSimons
Succeeded by Maurice O'Sullivan
Chief Secretary
In office
3 April 1952  13 May 1965
Preceded by Clive Evatt
Succeeded by Eric Willis
Personal details
Born Christopher Augustus Kelly
(1890-08-21)21 August 1890
near Dubbo, New South Wales
Died 25 March 1967(1967-03-25) (aged 76)
Mosman, New South Wales
Nationality  Australia
Political party Australian Labor Party (NSW), Australian Labor Party
Spouse(s) Eileen Mary Kelly (née Mitchell)
Children 1 daughter, 2 sons
Occupation Cement tester
Religion Catholic
Awards
1914-1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal
Website NSW Legislative Assembly webpage
Military service
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch Australian Army
Years of service 19101914 and
19151919
Rank Private
Unit First Australian Imperial Force
Battles/wars First World War

Christopher Augustus "Gus" Kelly (21 August 1890 – 25 March 1967) was an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1925 to 1932 and again from 1935 until his death in 1967, representing the electorate of Bathurst. He held numerous ministerial positions between 1941 and 1965 in McKell Labor Government.[1]

Early life

Kelly was born near Dubbo, New South Wales and was the son of John Kelly, labourer, and Margaret Kearney. His father died when Kelly was aged and his family moved to Wellington, where he was educated to elementary level at the Wellington convent by Catholic nuns.

He initially worked as a labourer with the New South Wales Government Railways and then later at the Portland, New South Wales limestone quarry. Following an accident, he became a cement tester. In 1906, Kelly joined the Australian Labor Party and held office as Portland branch secretary for 18 years and the local union organiser for the Clerk's Division of the Australian Workers' Union.[2] Kelly had active military service in the First Australian Imperial Force in Egypt and France between 1915 and 1919.[1][3]

Political career

In a pre-selection held in 1919, Kelly defeated Ben Chifley[4] and was endorsed as one of three Labor candidates to contest the multi-member electorate of Bathurst at the 1922 State election. Kelly was unsuccessful at this election;[5] successfully sought endorsement (again against Chifley),[4] and succeeded at the 1925 State election[6] winning the third position, defeating Nationalist sitting member, Charles Rosenthal.

Following a statewide electoral redistribution, Kelly retained the seat of Bathurst[7] when New South Wales reverted to single member electorates at the 1927 state election. Kelly was re-elected at the 1930 state election[8] with over 60% of the vote, but was defeated on preferences in the 1932 State election[9] landslide that ended the premiership of Jack Lang. After three years working as the gatekeeper at the Sydney Cricket Ground[1] (where William McKell sat on the Board of Trustees),[10] Kelly regained the seat in the 1935 state election on preferences from the Australian Labor Party candidate[11] whilst standing as a candidate for Australian Labor Party (NSW). Kelly retained the seat at the 1938, was unopposed in 1941, challenged in 1944, 1947, and 1950 state elections, again unopposed in 1953, and challenged in 1956, 1959, 1962, and 1965 state elections; winning each time.

He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) while that party was separated from the Federal executive of the Australian Labor Party between 1931 and 1936.

In the William McKell Labor Government that came to power at the 1941 state election, Kelly was appointed to the following portfolios during his parliamentary career spanning 38 years; 24 of which were as a Minister:[1]

During Kelly's service as a politician, it was alleged that the McKell Labor Government was involved in a large corrupt sly-grog operation, with one allegation centred on Kelly - that was unproven. In an interview in 1997, McKell said,[10]

"Kelly became an absolute load on the party... we won't say any more than that..."

Kelly died in 1967, as the sitting member for Bathurst.[1] A portrait of Kelly by Australian artist Reg Campbell can be found in the permanent collection of Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Hon. Christopher Augustus Kelly (1890 - 1967)". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  2. Hagan, J (2007). People and Politics in regional New South Wales. Vol 1, 1856 to 1950s. The Federation Press.
  3. "Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad". Australian Imperial Force. National Archives of Australia. 11 June 1910. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  4. 1 2 Hamer, Clive. "Hope of the Vale - The Peacock Family". Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  5. "Bathurst - 1922". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  6. "Bathurst - 1925". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  7. "Bathurst - 1927". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  8. "Bathurst - 1930". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  9. "Bathurst - 1932". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  10. 1 2 Cunneen, C (2000). William John McKell: boilermaker, premier, Governor-General. UNSW Press.
  11. "Bathurst - 1935". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  12. "Gifted portrait artist dies". Western Advocate. Fairfax Media. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
Charles Rosenthal
Member for Bathurst (multi-member)
1925  1927
Served alongside: Fitzpatrick, Dooley
Succeeded by
reverted to single member seat
Preceded by
restored seat
Member for Bathurst (single member)
1927  1932
Succeeded by
Gordon Wilkins
Preceded by
Gordon Wilkins
Member for Bathurst
1935  1967
Succeeded by
Clive Osborne
Political offices
Preceded by
Herbert FitzSimons
Minister for Health
1941  1950
Succeeded by
Maurice O'Sullivan
Preceded by
Clive Evatt
Minister for Housing
1950  1952 and 1954
Succeeded by
Clive Evatt(1952)

John McGrath (1954)

Preceded by
Clive Evatt
Chief Secretary
1952  1965
Succeeded by
Eric Willis
New title Minister for Tourist Activities
1959  1965
Succeeded by
Eric Willis
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