Labor Party (NSW) while that party was separated from the Federal executive of the 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 some members of the McKell cabinet were involved in a large corrupt sly-grog operation, with one particular allegation (never proven but often made) that involved Kelly. In an interview not made public till 1997, McKell (who had died in 1985) alluded to discreditable actions on Kelly's part, while refusing to supply details: "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. References |- |- |- |- 1890 births 1967 deaths Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Australian Army officers Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales 20th-century Australian politicians Colonial Secretaries of New South Wales Australian military personnel of World War I