Liberal hurt by pamphlets wants new political page

JACKIE KELLY, the emblematic western Sydney Liberal of the Howard era, is making a political comeback.

By InvestSMART · 20 May 2012

By InvestSMART ·
20 May 2012

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JACKIE KELLY, the emblematic western Sydney Liberal of the Howard era, is making a political comeback.

Ms Kelly, whose departure from politics in 2007 was marred by the scandal over her husband's anti-Labor, anti-Islamic letter drop, has nominated herself for Penrith council.

She plans to run in the east ward, covering the same north St Marys area where her husband, Gary Clark, was caught distributing dodgy pamphlets thanking the ALP, on behalf of an Islamic group that did not exist, for supporting terrorists. Mr Clark, an orthodontist, was later convicted and fined $1000.

The scandal hurt the hopes of the then prime minister, John Howard, of mounting one of his trademark late comebacks and Ms Kelly's seat of Lindsay fell to Labor on her retirement in the "Ruddslide" of '07.

Ms Kelly, a one-time minister for sport and tourism and parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, retains a large profile. But her plan has split the Liberal Party, The Sun-Herald has learnt.

Ms Kelly is being backed by the Mulgoa MP, Tanya Davies, and her husband, Mark, members of the hard right faction. Ms Davies has to step down from Penrith council in September to comply with Barry O'Farrell's legislation, dubbed "Clover's law", preventing MPs wearing two hats.

Sections of the party question why Ms Kelly, who enjoys a lifetime parliamentary pension, would want to enter local politics.

"There are plenty of people in the party who think this will be a disaster," a Liberal source said. "No one has forgotten the pamphlet episode and this will give Labor something to latch onto during the campaign."

Another Liberal source said that the party was "working through issues" as to whether her nomination would proceed.

There were reports earlier this year that Tony Abbott had urged Ms Kelly to run in Lindsay against sitting Labor MP David Bradbury. Some in the party say it was Ms Kelly and her supporters pushing that line rather than the Opposition Leader.

Ms Kelly could not be contacted for comment.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Who is Jackie Kelly and why is her political comeback getting attention?

Jackie Kelly is a well-known western Sydney Liberal from the Howard era, a one-time minister for sport and tourism and parliamentary secretary to the prime minister. Her comeback is getting attention because she left federal politics in 2007 amid a high-profile pamphlet scandal and has now nominated for Penrith council, reviving interest in her profile and past controversies.

What was the 2007 pamphlet scandal involving Jackie Kelly's family?

The scandal involved Kelly’s husband, Gary Clark, who was caught distributing pamphlets in north St Marys that thanked the ALP on behalf of an Islamic group that did not exist and accused the party of supporting terrorists. Clark, an orthodontist, was later convicted and fined $1,000.

Which council position is Jackie Kelly running for and what area would it cover?

Jackie Kelly has nominated for Penrith council and plans to run in the east ward, which covers the north St Marys area—the same area linked to the pamphlet episode.

How have members of the Liberal Party reacted to Kelly’s nomination?

The party is split. Some members back her—most notably Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies and her husband Mark from the hard right faction—while other Liberals worry the move could be a political liability because the pamphlet episode is still remembered and could give Labor campaign material.

Who is publicly supporting Jackie Kelly’s return to local politics?

The article reports support from Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies and Kelly’s husband Mark, along with members of the Liberal hard right faction.

What is ‘Clover’s law’ and how does it relate to this story?

‘Clover’s law’ refers to legislation introduced under Barry O’Farrell that prevents MPs from holding two offices. The article says Tanya Davies must step down from Penrith council in September to comply with that rule.

Was Jackie Kelly ever linked to a federal seat comeback after 2007?

There were reports earlier in the year that Tony Abbott had urged Kelly to run in the federal seat of Lindsay against Labor MP David Bradbury. The article notes some in the party say the push may have come from Kelly and her supporters rather than from the Opposition Leader.

Should everyday investors pay attention to Jackie Kelly’s council bid?

Investors who track local political developments may find it worth noting. The article shows Kelly’s nomination has split the Liberal Party and revived a remembered scandal, which could shape local campaign dynamics. While the piece doesn’t discuss economic policy, changes in local political tone and leadership can sometimes affect community sentiment and local decision-making.