De-Anne Kelly

De-Anne Margaret Kelly (née Park; born 21 March 1954) is an Australian former politician.[1]

The Honourable
De-Anne Kelly
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
In office
26 October 2004 – 27 January 2006
Preceded byDanna Vale
Succeeded byBruce Billson
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Dawson
In office
2 March 1996 – 24 November 2007
Preceded byRay Braithwaite
Succeeded byJames Bidgood
Personal details
Born (1954-03-21) 21 March 1954
Rockhampton, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
Political partyNational Party of Australia
SpouseRoger Kelly
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
OccupationFarmer

Kelly was a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1996 until November 2007, representing the Division of Dawson, Queensland.

She was the first female member of the National Party to win a seat in the House of Representatives.[2]

Personal life

Kelly was born in Rockhampton, Queensland to parents Ian Park and Margaret Park (née Bauman).[3] Kelly's uncle was Kerrod Park, who was known for his involvement with local government in Queensland, having served as the chairman of Duaringa Shire Council from 1973 to 1994.[4][5]

Kelly grew up on a cattle property where she obtained her primary education from her mother who taught her at the kitchen table.[6] She then attended high school in Rockhampton and after winning a scholarship to study electrical engineering, Kelly attended the University of Queensland.[6]

After graduating, Kelly worked as an engineer before she bought a small manufacturing business with her husband.[6][7] Seven years later, she and her husband purchased a cattle property near Dingo where they lived in a shed with their infant son.[6][7]

In 2004, she and her husband owned and operated a sugar cane farm at Mirani, near Mackay.[6][7]

Parliamentary career

In her first parliamentary speech, Kelly paid tribute to her late father Ian Park who she commended for having a "girls can do anything" attitude.[8] She also said she owed her character and convictions to her father.[8] In her speech, Kelly also said she drew inspiration from Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen who had taught her some "valuable lessons".[8]

Kelly was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade between October 2003 and October 2004, at which time she was appointed Minister for Veterans' Affairs. She gained the additional position of Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence in November 2004, but was demoted to Parliamentary Secretary (Trade) in January 2006.[7][9] Kelly served in this position until September 2006, when she was reappointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.[7]

At the 2007 general election, Kelly was unseated by Labor candidate and City of Mackay councillor James Bidgood. Kelly went into the election sitting on a majority of over 10 percent. However, as part of the Labor wave that swept through Queensland in that election, Bidgood defeated her on a swing of more than 13 per cent.[10] Kelly's defeat came as a surprise to most commentators; due to her large majority, there was no hint she was in any danger.[11]

References
  1. "Senators and Members, by Date of Birth". Parliament of Australia. 2001. Archived from the original on 14 September 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  2. "The Nationals' Women". The Nationals. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  3. Mitchell, Geraldine (2001). "The Bauman families of "Tryphina View"". Dingo State School 125th Anniversary magazine. Margaret Bauman married Ian Park and raised two daughters, De-Anne and Maree... Ian passed away in 1988...
  4. "Funeral notice: WILLIAM KERROD PARK JP (C'dec) OBE". The Courier-Mail. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2022. Brother to Ian Park (Dec)... Uncle to De-Anne...
  5. "Queensland loses a man of dedication and vision". The Morning Bulletin. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  6. "New Veterans' Affairs Minister". VETAFFAIRS (Vol 20; No 3). December 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  7. "Biography for KELLY, the Hon. De-Anne Margaret". ParlInfo search. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  8. Kelly, De-Anne (1 May 1996). "Governor-General's Speech - Address-in-reply (House Hansard)". Parliament of Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  9. Christiansen, Melanie (25 January 2006). "Nationals disgruntled over ministerial demotions". AM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  10. "QLD DIVISION - DAWSON". Virtual Tally Room. Australian Electoral Commission. 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  11. "Labor's new member for Dawson, James Bidgood, says his top priority is fixing roads in the electorate". ABC Tropical Queensland. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
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