Labor MP Mike Kelly poised to quit in key seat of Eden-Monaro

Voters could face their first post-pandemic federal by-election as speculation mounts Labor’s Mike Kelly will quit Eden-Monaro.

Mike Kelly is reportedly considering retiring early due to health issues from his time in the Defence Forces.

Australia could face its first post-pandemic federal by-election as speculation mounts Labor MP Mike Kelly will quit his ultra-marginal NSW seat of Eden-Monaro.

Sky News reported on Sunday that Mr Kelly, an army veteran, was considering retiring early due to health issues from his time in the Defence Forces.

If he retires, Coalition candidates who could run for the prized bellwether electorate include NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, state Transport Minister Andrew Constance and federal NSW senator Jim Molan.

Mr Kelly held onto Eden-Monaro on a margin of 1.1 per cent. The NSW seat has traditionally gone to the party of government until the current Labor MP bucked the trend in 2016.

If Prime Minister Scott Morrison were to win the seat back as he experiences record-high approval ratings for his handling of the pandemic, he would increase his parliamentary majority to three.

A by-election would also be the first electoral test for Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who has slipped in the polls after briefly overtaking the Prime Minister during the bushfire season.

The Opposition Leader’s office would not comment on Mr Kelly’s position on Sunday night and the backbench MP did not respond to a request for comment.

A by-election would have to be undertaken with strict social-distancing measures in place to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

Sausage sizzles were barred and voters had to line up 1.5m apart at recent Queensland local elections.

It is also possible that an Eden-Monaro by-election could be done entirely by postal ballot, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has flagged for the October state election.