David Smith (Australian Capital Territory politician)

Senator
David Smith
Assumed office
23 May 2018
Preceded by Katy Gallagher
Personal details
Born (1970-03-25) 25 March 1970
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Australian Labor Party
Spouse(s) Liesl Centenera
Children 3
Residence Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Education Marist College Canberra
Alma mater Australian National University
Occupation Trade unionist
Public servant
Website http://senatorsmith.com.au

David Philip Benedict Smith (born 25 March 1970) is an Australian politician. On 23 May 2018, the High Court of Australia declared him elected as a Senator for the Australian Capital Territory after Labor senator Katy Gallagher was found ineligible to have been elected.[1] Prior to his election, Smith was the ACT director of the Professionals Australia union.[2] He was sworn in to the Australian Senate on 18 June 2018.[3]

Early years and education

Smith was born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. He completed his schooling at Marist College Canberra, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the Australian National University in 1993.[4]

Public service and trade union

Prior to joining the Australian Senate, Smith served in various roles including as an advisor in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, as an industrial relations manager for the Australian Federal Police Association, and as a policy advisor in the Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister's Department under Jon Stanhope.[4] In 2007, he took up the role of Director of the ACT branch of Professionals Australia, a union which primarily focuses on technical workers such as scientists, engineers, architects, IT professionals, pharmacists, and others.[5]

Political career

Smith has been a member of the Australian Labor Party since 1992. He ran for the Senate in 2004, and was the second candidate on the ALP's 2016 Senate ticket.[5] At the 2016 ACT Labor Annual Conference he was elected Senior Vice-President of the ACT Branch of the Australian Labor Party.[6]

On 23 May 2018, the High Court of Australia declared him elected as a Senator for the Australian Capital Territory after Labor senator Katy Gallagher was found ineligible to have been elected.[1] He was sworn in on 18 June 2018.[3]

On 1 September 2018, Smith was preselected to run for the Australian Labor Party in the seat of Bean.[7]

Personal life

Smith is married to Liesl Centenera. They have three children: Marcus, Eamonn, and Stella.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Whyte, Sally (23 May 2018). "Labor's David Smith declared elected as new ACT senator by High Court". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Belot, Henry (5 June 2016). "Public service battles an election issue in marginal seats, senate hopeful". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 Whyte, Sally (18 June 2018). "New ACT senator sworn in as controversy around his future continues". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  4. 1 2 Pryor, Sally (8 May 2018). "Meet the union man set to replace Katy Gallagher". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 Bushnell, Ian (8 May 2018). "Meet David Smith, the man in line to replace Katy Gallagher in the Senate". The Riot ACT. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Senator David Smith". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  7. ↑ Whyte, Sally (1 September 2018). "Labor candidates chosen for Canberra and Bean". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  8. ↑ Whyte, Sally (23 May 2018). "David Smith officially begins as new senator for the ACT". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
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