Member of the Legislative Council
Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Lands
Born in Wellington, Tony Kelly is married to Anne with two sons and a grandson.
Tony and Anne still live in Wellington where they run irrigation farms producing lucerne hay, vegetables and cattle. Their property is located on both sides of the Bell River and is a local State Emergency Service contact in times of flood.
Tony is also a member of both the Neurea and Mount Arthur Rural Fire Service Brigades.
After completing secondary school at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst, Tony worked as a clerk in the Department of Lands.
In 1967, he joined Wellington Council where he held various positions including paymaster, accountant and deputy shire clerk, then finally general manager.
Tony served for six months as a member of the NSW Legislative Council in 1987-88, before returning to Wellington Council where he became Wellington Council’s first general manager in 1993.
In 1997, after 30 years in local government, he left Wellington Council after his election to the NSW Legislative Council, where he still serves.
He was elected Deputy President of the Legislative Council, and also served as Chairman of Committees and Chairman of the Standing Committee on State Development.
Tony was one of the founding members of the Parliamentary Group of Country Labor, and
served as its convener for its first four years.
Following election of the Carr Government in March 2003 to an historic third term, Tony was elevated to the Ministry, where he was responsible for Rural Affairs, Local Government, Emergency Services, Lands and as Leader of the House in the Legislative Council. He was also appointed Assistant Minister for Natural Resources.
On August 3, 2005 he became Minister for Justice, Juvenile Justice, Emergency Services,
Lands and Rural Affairs, as well as retaining the position of Leader of the House in the Legislative Council.
On November 14, 2006 he became the first Minister for Volunteering, in addition to his
existing portfolios.
Since that time he has also serviced as the Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services and Vice-President of the Executive Council.
Some of Tony’s key interests centre around sustainable regional development in country NSW, as well as the development of a mature biofuel industry in Australia.
As a Labor politician, Tony is inspired in his service to the community by social justice principles.
His other passions include his family, Irish history and culture – particularly the story of the Irish in Australia, as well as cycling, golfing and skiing.
Contact Details
Parliament
Macquarie Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9230 2528
Fax (02) 9230 2530
Email sharon.armstrong@lands.nsw.gov.au
Ministerial Office
Level 34 Governor MacquarieTower,
1 Farrer Place,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 3999
Fax (02) 9228 3988