He was a Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1930 until 1932, representing the electorate of Drummoyne.
He moved to Sydney in 1916, where he worked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard and Mort's Dock.
McLelland was the Labor candidate for the recreated Legislative Assembly seat of Drummoyne in 1927, losing to sitting Botany MLA John Lee.
McLelland undertook a correspondence course in accountancy after his defeat, but continued to be involved in the trade union movement.
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