Tributes flow to former CLP president Ron Kelly

A prominent former CLP candidate and president has been fondly remembered for his commitment to the Territory. Read what’s been said.

Senior CLP figures have paid tribute to former party president and federal candidate Ron Kelly, who died last week after a long illness.

Mr Kelly, 59, took over the reins as party president in 2018 in the wake of the CLP’s thumping at the 2016 election when it lost in a landslide, winning just two seats.

Under his presidency and the leadership of Lia Finocchiaro, the party bounced back at the 2020 poll, winning an additional six seats and positioning itself for a shot at government in 2024.

Ms Finocchiaro described Mr Kelly as a “fiercely passionate” Territorian and party member.

“Ron Kelly was a fiercely passionate Territorian and devoted CLP member, staffer and president,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“Despite illness, his resilience and humour remained unwavering. Ron’s pivotal role in the 2020 Territory election, rebuilding the party, and his legacy of leadership will be remembered.

Former candidate and CLP President Ron Kelly has been fondly remembered. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“Ron was a great support to me personally that I will always be grateful for. Our condolences go to Ron’s family and friends, as we mourn the loss of a great Territorian.”

Friend and former Chief Minister Adam Giles recalled Mr Kelly as a “top bloke”.

“Ron, not only a very good mate, he was my former chief of staff when I was Chief Minister of the NT,” he wrote on social media.

“Ron was a former Country Liberal Party president, former federal candidate, former chief of staff to then Senator Nigel Scullion as Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, among other portfolios.

“Ron spent many years in and around the NT, particularly Katherine (and) did many things. He was a top bloke and will be sadly missed. Gone too soon.”

Former deputy Chief Minister Dave Tollner said his friend made a significant contribution during the 1998 Katherine floods through his employment with Telstra.

CLP candidates Ron Kelly and Dave Tollner in 2001.

“He played a key role during the floods, co-ordinating the use of Telstra equipment and staff to be utilised as part of the government emergency response,” he said.

“As a senior official said at the time, ‘without Ron Kelly and the support of Telstra, things would have been a whole lot worse’

Ron’s association with the CLP began when he worked as an adviser to former Member for Daly Tim Baldwin.

In 2001 he was the unsuccessful CLP candidate for Lingiari at the federal election before working with Senator Nigel Scullion, who became Aboriginal Affairs minister, for more than a decade.

When Adam Giles toppled Terry Mills as Chief Minister in 2013, Mr Kelly became his chief of staff before being appointed chief executive of the Department of Mines and Energy.

He was replaced when Labor regained government in 2016.

“Sadly, when the CLP lost government, Labor failed to notice his strengths as a manager, saw him merely as a political appointment, and asked him to move on.”

CLP President Shane Stone said Mr Kelly’s contribution to the party should not be underestimated.

“He did the job as president when nobody else wanted to do that,” Mr Stone said.

“Those people are gold.”

Mr Kelly had been unwell for a number of years and had relocated to Victoria to be with family.

A funeral will be held in Hamilton on March 26.