FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUGHES Dear Prime Minster, On the last parliamentary sitting day of 2018, you called us all together at The Lodge for Christmas drinks. The mood was rather sombre as the betting markets had forecast that we would be decimated at the coming election due to be held in early 2019. On that night you gave a rousing motivational speech to the team, and | remember walking away that night thinking, if only we could get through the next election, that this bloke could become one of greatest and longest serving Prime Ministers in our nation’s history, and how fortunate | was to have a ring side seat. And since the historic against the odds election win in 2019, you have given many inspiring speeches in the party room using sporting analogies. The one that sticks in my mind the most, is about New Zealand’s America’s Cup defence, where the only relevant consideration for anything they did, was “does that make the boat go faster?” ‘And | acknowledge that some of my conduct over recent months has not helped the boat go faster. And this has made it difficult for you and the government. However, at all times | have acted upon my conscious and my beliefs - not political expediency. My goal has only been to save lives and ensure that my constituents and all Australians, were not denied access to medical treatments if their doctors believed those treatments could save their life. Hlectorate Office Shop 1, 9-15 East Parade, Phone (02) 9521 6262 Mail to: Sutherland NSW 2232 Fax (02)9545 0927 PO Box 1014, Sutherland NSW 1499 Parliament Office Office R1 19 House of Representatives Phone (02) 6277 4366 Email craig.kelly.mp@aph gov.au Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Web wirwcraighelly.com.auTherefore, | see that if I'm to continue to act in line with my conscious and principles, and the oath that | took on becoming a member of Parliament, and to speak fearlessly and faithfully represent my constituents, | have no alternative other than to resign as a member of the Liberal Party effective immediately and for the rest of this Parliamentary term, to sit on the crossbenches as an Independent. To honour the commitment to the voters of Hughes who elected me under the Liberal banner, | will of course support the government on matters of supply and confidence and | will seek to vote in a manner consistent with all official policies that the Coalition took to the 2019 election. | also tender by resignation effective immediately as Chair and member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, and my positions on the both the House Economics Committee and the Industry, Innovation, Science & Resources Committee. | will also write separately to the Speaker, to advise him of my decision and request to be reallocated a seat in the Chamber with the crossbench. I make this decision with the heaviest of hearts, | have greatest respect for you and all my colleagues, and | wish you all the very best for the future. And Prime Minister, I sincerely hope that you will go on to be one of Australia’s greatest and longest serving Prime Ministers. Yours faithfully, Ls Yealy CraigKélly Mémber for Hughes 23/2/2021