Ros Kelly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Ros Kelly AO
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women
In office 23 December 1993 – 1 March 1994
Prime Minister	Paul Keating
Preceded by	Wendy Fatin
Succeeded by	Carmen Lawrence
Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories
In office 4 April 1990 – 1 March 1994
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke Paul Keating
Preceded by	Graham Richardson
Succeeded by	Graham Richardson
Minister for Tourism
In office 4 April 1990 – 27 December 1991
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke Paul Keating
Preceded by	Graham Richardson
Succeeded by	Alan Griffiths
Minister for the Arts
In office 4 April 1990 – 24 March 1993
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke Paul Keating
Preceded by	Graham Richardson
Succeeded by	Bob McMullan
Minister for Telecommunications and Aviation Support
In office 6 April 1989 – 4 April 1990
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Gary Punch
Succeeded by	Title abolished
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
In office 18 September 1987 – 6 April 1989
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	New title
Succeeded by	David Simmons
Member of the Australian Parliament for Canberra
In office 18 October 1980 – 30 January 1995
Preceded by	John Haslem
Succeeded by	Brendan Smyth
Personal details
Born	Roslyn Joan Raw (1948-01-25) 25 January 1948 (age 77)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Teacher

Roslyn Joan Kelly (born 25 January 1948) is an Australian former politician. She was a member of the Australian House of Representatives. This is like the main parliament for Australia. She represented the area of Canberra from 1980 to 1995. Ros Kelly also served as a minister in the governments led by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

Early Life and Local Politics

Ros Kelly was born Roslyn Joan Raw on January 25, 1948. Her parents were Michael and Patricia Raw. She went to the University of Sydney and finished her teaching degree in 1968. From 1969 to 1974, she worked as a high school teacher.

In 1974, Ros Kelly was chosen to be part of the Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly. This was a group that advised the government on local issues in Canberra. She represented the Canberra area. She stayed a member of this assembly until 1979.

Becoming a Federal Politician

Ros Kelly was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 1980. This was a big step into national politics. In 1983, she made history. She was the first Australian Federal Member of Parliament (MP) to give birth while still in office.

In 1987, she became the first female minister from the Australian Labor Party in the House of Representatives. She was given the job of Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. This meant she was in charge of science and staff for Australia's defence.

Ros Kelly's Ministerial Roles

Over the years, Ros Kelly held many important roles in the government. She was a minister for different areas, including:

• Communications and Aviation Support (1988–1990)
• Arts, Sport, Environment, Tourism and Territories (1991–1993)
• Environment, Sport and Territories (1993–1994)
• Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (1994–1995)

She also worked as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women until 1994. This role focused on helping women in Australia.

Resignation from Politics

In 1994, Ros Kelly faced some difficulties regarding how funding for sports groups was decided. She explained that decisions were made during a group discussion using a "great big whiteboard" in her office. Because of this issue, she decided to resign from her minister role on February 28, 1994. She then left parliament completely on January 30, 1995. After she left, a special election was held for her seat in Canberra. The Liberal Party won this election.

Personal Life and Special Awards

Ros Kelly is married to David Morgan. He used to be the CEO of a big bank called Westpac. Before that, she was married to a journalist named Paul Kelly, and she kept his last name.

In 2004, Ros Kelly received a special award. She was made an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her work in:

• Helping businesses be more environmentally friendly.
• Encouraging talks between businesses and groups that protect nature.
• Her service to the Australian Parliament.
• Her efforts in women's health.

When Ros Kelly was the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, she supported research at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area. This is an important fossil site. To honor her support, a new type of ancient lion was named after her in 1997: Priscileo roskellyae.

See also

• List of the first women holders of political offices in Oceania