Graham Kelly

Graham Desmond Kelly (born 9 May 1941) is a New Zealand former politician.

Early life and career Kelly was born in Wellington on 9 May 1941. He married and had five children.

Kelly was trade unionist and was employed by the Clerical Workers' Union until 1973 when he became secretary of the Shop Employees' Union.

He was elected and served as MP for Porirua from 1987 until the 1996 election, when he became MP for the new seat of Mana. He was among several backbenchers elected in 1987 that opposed the Labour government's controversial Rogernomics reforms. He opposed the introduction of Goods and Services Tax before entering parliament and after being elected opposed the proposed flat tax rate, arguing each unfairly distributed taxation burdens on to working class people. He was also critical of how independent cabinet decision making was and campaigned for more substantive input into decisions by the party caucus.

In November 1990, he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Fisheries and Senior Citizens by Labour leader Mike Moore. Kelly supported Helen Clark in her successful leadership challenge to Moore after the election. Under Clark he lost the Senior Citizens portfolio while retaining Fisheries and additionally appointed Shadow Minister of Broadcasting from 1993 to 1996. From 1996 to 1999 his responsibilities shifted again and he was Shadow Minister of Housing and Overseas Aid.

In the 2002 election, he did not stand as an electorate candidate, standing as a list MP and allowing Luamanuvao Winnie Laban to contest Mana. On 29 July 2003, however, he left Parliament in order to take up a position as High Commissioner to Canada. His list seat was taken by the next candidate on Labour's 2002 party list, Moana Mackey.

High Commissioner to Canada In 2005, Kelly made remarks to a Canadian governmental panel which were regarded by some in New Zealand as offensive to Māori and various immigrant communities. Calls were made for his resignation, and the government criticised Kelly for his comments, for which he apologised.

Later career Kelly is currently the president of the Association of Former Members of Parliament.

Honours In the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kelly was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.