Charles Smith (Western Australian politician)
| The Honourable Charles Smith MLC | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council for East Metropolitan Region | |
|
Assumed office 22 May 2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Leonard Smith 4 October 1970 Hitchin, England, UK |
| Political party | Pauline Hanson's One Nation |
| Other political affiliations | National (until 2016) |
| Residence | Ellenbrook, Western Australia, Australia |
| Occupation |
Police officer[1] (Western Australian Police) |
| Profession |
Public servant Politician |
| Website |
charlessmithmlc |
Charles Leonard Smith (born 4 October 1970) is an Australian politician. He was elected at the 2017 Western Australian election to represent the East Metropolitan Region in the Western Australian Legislative Council from 22 May 2017 for the Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.[2] He was elected for four years, with Legislative Council terms beginning on 22 May 2017.
During the election campaign, the Pauline Hanson's One Nation party arranged a preference deal with the Liberal Party. Smith was one of a number of One Nation candidates who did not agree with the deal, and encouraged voters to make up their own minds.[3]
Prior to entering Western Australian state politics, Smith served as a police officer in Kalgoorlie, specialising in domestic violence and child protection work. He also worked for a period with the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum as a prospector approvals facilitator.
In 2016, Smith unsuccessfully sought Nationals pre-selection for the federal seat of O'Connor. He subsequently left the Nationals, stating to the Kalgoorlie Miner: "My politics is probably different from the National Party; it was more conservative anyway, hence the interest in what One Nation were doing."[4]
In his inaugural speech in the Western Australian Legislative Council, Smith called for tougher law and order measures to tackle crime and a state population policy to reduce growth pressures on Perth. He also warned that community cohesion was in decline:
A growing chunk of the body politic lacks drive and common purpose. Many people feel that their country is at risk of losing the values that made it strong and had it being looked upon with jealous eyes from overseas. Many people feel that their country is slipping away, socially and culturally. They notice the decline in community-mindedness and watch as reminders of our Western Judeo-Christian and British heritage are erased from school curricula and the public sphere. They see the growing entrenchment of asymmetrical multiculturalism, consumerism and hyper-individualism.[5]
Smith currently lives in Ellenbrook with his family.
References
- ↑ Gredley, Rebecca (16 February 2017). "Young offender focus for One Nation WA". News.com.au. News Limited. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ↑ "East Metropolitan Region Profile and Results". 2017 State General Election. Western Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ↑ "WA One Nation candidates refuse to preference Liberals". ABC News. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ↑ Chiat, Josh (10 February 2017). "Spurned Nat could snare metro seat". Kalgoorlie Miner.
- ↑ "Inaugural Speech, Thursday 25 May 2017" (PDF).