Leichhardt MP Matt Smith delivers first speech in federal parliament

In his first speech to parliament, Member for Leichhardt spoke of the electorate’s connectivity, climate change and domestic violence issues, while also revealing a personal battle with depression.

Leichhardt MP Matt Smith delivered his maiden speech to parliament on July 28.

In his first speech to parliament, the Member for Leichhardt spoke of the electorate’s connectivity, climate change and domestic violence issues, while also revealing a personal battle with depression.

Matt Smith delivered his maiden speech this week, starting out by acknowledging Leichhardt’s “two distinct and ancient cultures” – the Torres Strait and the Aboriginal cultures of the Cape and Far North.

He touched on the major mining, agriculture and tourism industries of the Far North, before declaring his ambition for the region to become a renewable “global powerhouse”.

“We have the wind, we have the rain and we have the sun. And critical minerals are in abundance,” he said.

“If I sound optimistic it’s because I am. A future made in Australia could just as easily be a future made in the Far North.”

New Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith, and Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, at Parliament House on July 22, 2025 in Canberra. Picture: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

He said while connectivity was a major issue, he was pleased with a commitment to “get all of Leichhardt to have mobile coverage”, before outlining the region’s major challenges.

“Climate change is hurting the Torres Strait. On the island of Masig the bodies of the ancestors and more recently departed family members, including babies, are being washed out to sea as the cemetery is inundated,” Mr Smith said.

“The Far North represents 10 per cent of all domestic violence call-outs for all of Queensland.

“Men of Australia, I challenge you to step up on this issue.”

Mr Smith spoke of his move to Cairns as a “last-chance” deal to play in the NBL for the Taipans, and acknowledged the city’s willingness to buy the club out during the height of the 2008 global financial crisis.

Matt Smith, pictured in Taipans colours in 2007, referenced his time with the club in his maiden speech to parliament.

“Post-basketball, like many athletes I was a bit lost. I worked a while for the former Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, and former senator Jan McLucas before making my way into the sport and rec industry.

“Without the structure and identity that basketball gave me I quickly spiralled into depression.

“I lost five years of my life wildly oscillating between flight or fight and a numb blankness. I looked at every possible option to make it stop.”

Mr Smith said during his most recent role as a Together Union organiser, he was challenged by former Socceroo Craig Foster who asked him how he’d give back to his community.

Leichhardt Matt Smith, pictured with his partner Renee Kerr, spoke of his connection to Cairns over 20 years during his maiden speech to parliament. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I have been in Cairns for 20 years, and I owe Cairns a lot,” Mr Smith said.

“I was picked up off the scrap heap by the Taipans, given a family, a partner, friends, a community, a home.

“As I considered all of this, it dawned that this would be the best way for me to pay that debt. And so, I stand here today to represent Leichhardt, not out of ambition but out of obligation and out of love.”

Originally published as Leichhardt MP Matt Smith delivers first speech in federal parliament