Tony Kelly

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. 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. 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. 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 in corrupt conduct in relation to a backdated letter that was used to claim authority for the purchase of property at Currawong. Kelly created the letter which was later used by himself, Watkins and the LPMA's then corporate secretary and chief financial officer, Robert Costello, to mislead public officials into believing the letter was genuine. Corrupt conduct was found against Costello. The four former Unions NSW properties at Currawong, Pittwater, were purchased by Watkins on behalf of the NSW Government from then owner, Eco Villages Australia Pty Limited. Contracts were exchanged for the $12.2-million purchase on 15 March 2011. Watkins was not authorized to commit the NSW Government to the purchase of the Currawong site. Watkins engaged in corrupt conduct by purchasing the land.

ICAC's opinion was that the matter be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions with respect to the prosecution of Watkins, Kelly and Costello for various criminal offences.

Further corruption In August 2017, Kelly, along with other former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi, were found by ICAC to have prepared a "deceptive" cabinet minute to benefit the Obeid family. ICAC's Operation Credo, its investigation into Obeid-linked company Australian Water Holdings. ICAC found Tripodi was "doing Mr Obeid's bidding" in backing attempts by AWH to enter into a lucrative public-private partnership with the state government in 2010. ICAC reported that the Obeid family had a $3 million stake in AWH, despite their claims the money was advanced as a loan. ICAC recommended the DPP charge Kelly, Obeid, Tripodi and Gilbert Brown with misconduct while in public office, which is a criminal offence carrying a jail term, Brown was a senior member of Kelly's staff.