Meet SA’s newest Labor Senator, Marielle Smith

Marielle Smith is soon to enter Parliament as Labor’s newest SA Senator, and she’s already earned the support of two of the party’s female trailblazers.

Incoming Labor Senator Marielle Smith with her son Benjamin, 15 months. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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Two of Labor’s female trailblazers have backed the party’s newest South Australian Senator, Marielle Smith.

Ms Smith was the second candidate on the party’s Senate ticket and is awaiting confirmation from the electoral commission.

But once confirmed, she will enter the Federal Parliament with the support of two prominent South Australian politicians – former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and retired Adelaide MP Kate Ellis.

Ms Smith, who worked closely with Ms Gillard on global education policy for almost five years, was dubbed a “future star” of the party by Australia’s first female prime minister.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve had both Julia Gillard and Kate Ellis as mentors to me,” Ms Smith said.

“They are true Labor women who made extraordinary contributions. I hope I can make them proud.”

Ms Smith, a public policy adviser, has specialised in education policies, sat on the State Procurement Board and volunteered at a not-for-profit in West Africa.

At 32-years-old, she hopes to bring well-rounded experience to the role.

“As a working mum myself, I want to make sure my son has a great education and every little boy and girl like him, I just think there’s no excuse for struggling kids not having the best education in the world,” she said.

Ms Smith plans to juggle work and travel to Canberra with her 15-month-old son, Benjamin, taking tips from former Adelaide MP Kate Ellis, who has described the new Senator as a “smart, young, incredibly qualified candidate”.

“What she (Kate) did really well was use her personal experiences to try and make Australia a better place … that’s something I want to do as well,” she said.

Ms Smith, who will not be installed in Labor’s caucus for a few weeks, was tight-lipped on the party’s impending leadership change, although she will get a vote as a Labor member.