STATEMENT ON MIKE KELLY’S RESIGNATION

It is with great sadness that I note Mike Kelly’s resignation from Parliament.

But I commend him on an excellent career not just in politics but a great Australian working life so far.

Mike has public service and the common good in his blood.

His family has served for three generations, and he served in Somalia, Bosnia, East Timor and Iraq.

As an MP he has been a passionate advocate for the people of Eden-Monaro.

I consider myself fortunate to have worked alongside him for years and to have been able to pick his excellent military and strategic brain. He accompanied me on visits to the Middle East and Afghanistan where I saw first hand his ability to relate to men and women of all ranks and his prodigious insight into international security.

In politics he showed the steel and tenacity of the former army colonel that he is. After he lost his seat in 2013 he maintained the fight and won it back in 2016. Then he won it again in 2019 just like he had in 2007 and 2010.

It was after his 2016 victory that as Leader I appointed him to my Shadow Executive with responsibility for Defence Industry and Support and as my national security adviser to help us get security policy right in Opposition.

More recently he stared down a life-threatening illness with distinctive grit, humility and determination.

He is a greatly loved figure within the party and he will be greatly missed in Parliament.

I wish him, his wife Shelly and his family all the very best in the next chapter of Mike’s remarkable career.