Background
Kelly was born in Thirroul, the son of Laurie Kelly Senior, who was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1947 to 1955.
Kelly was born in Thirroul, the son of Laurie Kelly Senior, who was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1947 to 1955.
He was the Labor member for Corrimal in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1968 to 1988, and served as Speaker from 1976 to 1988. He was educated at Thirroul Primary School and Wollongong High School, and after leaving school worked as an accountants He joined the Australian Labor Party in 1948.
In 1968, Kelly was selected as the Labor candidate for the seat of Corrimal, largely a successor to his father"s old seat of Bulli.
Elected easily, he never had difficulty in winning re-election. He was appointed Speaker in 1976, serving until 1988, when his seat of Corrimal was abolished.
Kelly challenged sitting Independent Member of Parliament Frank Arkell for his seat of Wollongong, but was defeated.
