Tony Kelly (politician)
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 Australian Labor Party from 1997 until 2011. Following an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2011, 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. The Director of Public Prosecutions decided that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution for forgery and misconduct in public office. 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. 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 Council, becoming general manager. Political career Kelly entered the Legislative Council in September 1987 and served until the 1988 election, 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. 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. He was Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council from 2003 to 2011. Unauthorised purchase of property at Currawong ICAC Investigation On 20 June 2011, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced that it would hold a public inquiry into matters arising from the purchase of property at Currawong, Pittwater, by the NSW Government. ICAC held a public inquiry over 11 days in June and July 2011. The ICAC Commissioner, David Ipp, presided at the public inquiry, at which 21 witnesses gave evidence. ICAC concluded its investigation in mid-December. In sum, ICAC found that Kelly engaged in corrupt conduct with respect to the purchase of the property by the NSW Government. 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, knowing that it would be used by a public servant to falsely represent that written authority had been given to authorise the purchase. The allegations generated significant publicity. That public servant was the Director General of the Department of Lands, Warwick Watkins. On release of the findings, the Labor Party immediately moved to terminate Kelly's membership. ICAC's key findings were as follows: Kelly and Watkins engaged