Leichhardt MP calls out domestic violence in passionate social media video

A Far North MP has revealed a personal relationship with the woman killed in a murder-suicide tragedy which shocked the region this week while calling out violence he said “has to stop.”

Jamie and Krystel Paul at the races in 2018. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North MP has revealed a personal relationship with the woman killed in a murder-suicide tragedy which shocked the region this week while calling out violence he said “has to stop”.

Mount Sheridan couple, Krystel and James Paul, were found dead on Tuesday night in a suspected domestic violence incident.

Authorities suspect that Krystel was tragically shot dead by her husband before turning the gun on himself, leaving their nine-year old daughter orphaned.

In a revealing post to social media, newly-elected Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith revealed his personal relationship with Krystel.

“The tragedy in Mount Sheridan has impacted quite a lot of people across Cairns and the Far North,” Mr Smith said.

“I knew Krystel, well, I knew her professionally.

“She was funny, she was kind and she was beloved by her co-workers – my friends – and my heart goes out to them.

“I feel immense sadness for her daughter whose life will never be the same.

“But I’m also angry. This sh-t has got to stop.

“We have a responsibility as a community, and as men, to ensure that this kind of thing doesn’t happen in our society.”

Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith attended a domestic violence services awareness event, hosted by three Indigenous organisations - the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service, Mookai Rosie and the Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation - on Friday, May 30, 2025. Picture: Elodie Jakes

Mr Smith declined to comment on how exactly he knew Krystel.

On Friday the newly minted MP attended a domestic violence services awareness event, hosted by Mookai Rosie where he elaborated on the video posted to Facebook.

“You know, obviously it’s still very, very raw, and a lot of people that I was very close to are in a lot of pain right now, and so I’m working with that and working with them,” Mr Smith told The Cairns Post.

Police officers watch over a crime scene at Mount Sheridan Cairns following the sudden deaths of a man and a woman on May 27. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“This has impacted me a lot and, if there was a calling, I think this is it.”

Mr Smith said it was important to him as a politician and as a man to disclose the personal impact of this tragedy.

“I think often you find things become statistics, and for me and being a man, it’s important that there are male voices heard in this space, and in putting your hand up to be a member of parliament you have to be able to stand on what you believe and what your principles are,” Mr Smith said.

“Domestic violence is an absolute scourge and we’re seeing far too many lives lost. And when I attend rallies, marches, events like today, I find myself significantly outnumbered women to men, so there needs to be more male voices in this space.”

Originally published as Leichhardt MP calls out domestic violence in passionate social media video