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Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly to resign due to health concerns

Resignation was prompted by poor health

Long-serving Federal Labour MP Mike Kelly announced his resignation from Parliament this morning due to his health condition. Dr Kelly has had 10 medical procedures over the last six months to address damage to his renal system, caused by severe dehydration during military tours in Iraq, Somalia and East Timor.

In today’s press conference on ABC Sydney, Dr Kelly announced he will be stepping down from a by-election in his southern NSW seat of Eden-Monaro due to his health concern.

“I don’t believe I can continue to do the job to the extent — and with the commitment and the physical demand — that I would want to,” he said.

At the conference, Labor’s leader Anthony Albanese introduced Mike as “my friend” with the following comments.

“Mike Kelly is an extraordinary Australian and he has brought a great deal of dignity, talent, capacity and commitment to this parliament,” he said.

Dr Kelly said he wants to extend his thanks to Kevin Rudd particularly.

“His support, his intention to make me defence minister. I’m really proud of my role in helping to establish the Australian Civil-Military Centre — it played a massive role in helping Australia secure its place on the United Nations Security Council in 2013,” Kelly said.

Former Labor leader Kevin Rudd who worked closely with Dr Kelly showed his “deep appreciation” to him on his Twitter this morning.

“I want to place on record my deep appreciation and respect for the contribution of Colonel Mike Kelly (Ret’d) who has just retired as Labor Member for Eden-Monaro. A person of great personal and professional integrity, he is a great loss to the parliament and the Labor Party,” he said.


 

Photo: Mike Kelly at the RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre by Bidgee available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution. The image has not been modified.

 

 

 

 

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