Speaker - The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite

The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia
Australia

Biography

Matt Thistlethwaite MP is the Federal Member for Kingsford Smith and serves as Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He previously represented New South Wales in the Australian Senate. He has formerly served as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, and Infrastructure and Transport and as Assistant Minister for Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and the Republic.

Raised in Maroubra, Matt attended school in Pagewood and studied Economics at the University of New South Wales before qualifying as a lawyer. He has extensive experience as a lawyer and trade union official across industries including transport, manufacturing, agriculture, health, and the public sector.

Matt has held leadership roles with the Australian Workers’ Union, Unions NSW, and NSW Labor, including serving as NSW Labor's General Secretary from 2008 to 2010. He has also worked as a Senior Consultant at Mallesons and served on several boards and advisory bodies, including the State Transit Authority of NSW and the NSW Manufacturing Council.

A committed community volunteer, Matt has been an active surf lifesaver for over 30 years. He has served as President of Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and the local Police & Community Youth Club. Matt lives in Matraville with his wife and four daughters.