About | Matt Smith

Meet Matt

Your Member for Leichhardt

Born in Sale, Victoria, Matt pursued his dream of playing professional basketball, a journey that took him to several countries before signing with the Cairns Taipans in 2005.

During his NBL career, which concluded with his retirement in 2009, Matt earned a reputation as a hard working, dedicated and team-focused player. These qualities of hard work and collaboration were central to his federal candidacy.

Matt has been lucky enough to call Cairns home for over 20 years, and his deep connection to the city is evident through his family ties: his two teenage daughters were born here, and his partner is a vital part of the triathlon community. Matt is often seen in the early mornings walking his dogs along the Trinity Beach Esplanade, engaging with the community he loves. If you see him there, stop and have a yarn.

Following his basketball career, Matt transitioned to the Sport and Recreation sector, where he worked for over a decade at both State and Local Government levels.

In these roles, he assisted community-based sporting groups with strategic planning, securing grants, developing facilities, and advocating for sports across the region.

Matt has become The Voice of The Taipans and a familiar presence at community events, frequently serving as an MC. His passion for public service and dedication to the region that has given him so much drives his political aspirations. Despite his busy schedule, Matt still MC’s at the Snake Pit whenever he is able.

As the first Labor MP for Leichhart in over 15 years, Matt advocates passionately for the region, and is dedicated to shining a light on the Far North, maximising the opportunities and potential for the people and land on which we live. Key areas of focus for him are the health of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding industries; Medicare and public health initiatives (of which sport inevitably plays a part!), and Social Cohesion throughout the multi-faceted communities of the region.

There’s a lot more to Leichhardt than just Cairns, as it reaches beyond the Cape to the islands of Torres Strait and all the way up to the border with Papua New Guinea. The residents of that vast area of the country have been denied a voice for too long, and Matt is working hard to make sure that they are heard

Meet Matt

Your Member for Leichhardt

My Background

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