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	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 Ribbon of the Victory Medal Victory Medal
Website	NSW Legislative Assembly webpage
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1910–1914 and 1915–1919
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.

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. Kelly had active military service in the First Australian Imperial Force in Egypt and France between 1915 and 1919.

Political career

In a pre-selection held in 1919, Kelly defeated Ben Chifley 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; successfully sought endorsement (again against Chifley), and succeeded at the 1925 State election winning the third position, defeating Nationalist sitting member, Charles Rosenthal.

Following a statewide electoral redistribution, Kelly retained the seat of Bathurst when New South Wales reverted to single member electorates at the 1927 state election. Kelly was re-elected at the 1930 state election with over 60% of the vote, but was defeated on preferences in the 1932 State election landslide that ended the premiership of Jack Lang. After three years working as the gatekeeper at the Sydney Cricket Ground (where William McKell sat on the Board of Trustees), Kelly regained the seat in the 1935 state election on preferences from the Australian Labor Party candidate 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:

• Minister for Health (1941 to 1950 and again, during 1960)
• Minister for Housing (1950 to 1952 and again, during 1954)
• Colonial Secretary (1952 to 1959)
• Minister for Immigration (1953–1959)
• Minister for Co-operative Societies (1954 to 1959)
• Chief Secretary and Minister for Tourist Activities (1959 to 1965)

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,

"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. A portrait of Kelly by Australian artist Reg Campbell can be found in the permanent collection of Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.

External links

• AIF Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad

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