The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP is the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith.
He is currently serving as the Assistant Minister for Immigration and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Matt was formerly a member of the Australian Senate from 2011 to 2013 during which time he served as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport.
Matt grew up in Maroubra, went to school in Pagewood and attended the University of NSW in Kensington where he studied economics before going on to become a lawyer.
Matt Thistlethwaite is an active community volunteer and passionate advocate for advancing the interests of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Matt has extensive experience representing workers as a lawyer and trade union official in a range of industries including transport, power, manufacturing, agriculture, public sector, health and horse racing.
Matt is a former director of the State Transit Authority of NSW, and the NSW Manufacturing Council. He was a member of the Racing Industry Participants Advisory Council, and an Executive Member of the NSW Jockeys Association.
Matt has been an active surf lifesaver for over 30 years and served four years as President of Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. He was also the President of Maroubra PCYC from 1999-2004, and was awarded by PCYC NSW for his dedicated services in 2005.
Matt has worked as a Senior Consultant with law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Matt was elected General Secretary of NSW Labor from 2008-2010. He was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW from 2004 to 2008, and worked for the Australian Workers Union for 10 years. He has been a member of NSW Labor since 1995 and was President of NSW Young Labor from 1997-98.
His tertiary qualifications are: Diploma of Law, graduated 2001; Bachelor of Economics (UNSW).
Matt lives in Matraville with his wife Rachel and their four daughters.