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Tim Smith (Australian politician)

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Tim Smith
Smith in 2014
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Kew
In office
29 November 2014 – 26 November 2022
Preceded byAndrew McIntosh
Succeeded byJess Wilson
Personal details
Born
Timothy Colin Smith

(1983-10-15) 15 October 1983 (age 41)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Political partyLiberal
Education
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Rower
  • Consultant
  • Adviser
  • Politician
Sports career
CountryAustralia
SportRowing
ClubMelbourne University Boat Club
Sports achievements and titles
National finalsPenrith Cup 2004–2006, Lucerne Cup 2006 (Gold Medal)
Medal record
Men's rowing
Representing  Australia
World Rowing Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Banyoles LM8-
World Rowing Cup
Silver medal – second place 2006 Munich LM2-

Timothy Colin Smith (born 15 October 1983) is an Australian former politician, who served as the member for Kew from 2014 to 2022 in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.[1] He is a member of the Liberal Party.

Before entering politics, Smith was a state and national representative rower who won a medal at the 2005 World Championships.[2] At the 2014 Victorian state election, Smith was elected to the seat of Kew. In September 2021, Smith was appointed as Victorian shadow attorney-general.[3] However, a month later, he resigned from this position after he crashed his car while drink driving.[4] He subsequently announced that he would not recontest his seat at the 2022 Victorian state election. Since retiring from politics, Smith has worked as a political analyst and commentator, and is a frequent guest on Sky News Australia.

Early life and education

[edit]

Smith grew up in Camberwell, in the inner east of Melbourne.[5] Smith's father, Colin Smith competed with the Australian rowing team at the 1974 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne.[6]

In Year 9, Smith attended Rugby School in the UK. The next year, he returned to Scotch College, Melbourne, where he began competing in rowing.[7][8][5]

He attended Ormond College at the University of Melbourne, where he studied for a Bachelor of Arts in history and politics.[7] At university, he competed with Melbourne University Boat Club, representing the Victorian and Australian rowing teams.[9] At the conclusion of his rowing career he returned to the University of Melbourne, where he completed a master's degree in international politics.[7] As part of those studies, he won a Hansard research fellowship to study at the London School of Economics.[10]

Rowing career

[edit]
Smith in the bow seat of the Australian Lightweight Four training on the Franklin River Tasmania

Smith was first selected at state level in the 2002 Victorian youth eight competing for Noel Wilkinson Trophy at the Interstate Regatta within the 2002 Australian Rowing Championships. He again rowed in the Victorian youth eight in 2003.[11][12] He was selected to stroke the Victorian lightweight four contesting the Penrith Cup at the Interstate Regatta 2004. That crew placed second.[13][14] He again rowed in the Victorian lightweight four at the Interstate Regattas in 2005 and 2006.

Smith made his Australian representative debut in 2003 at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne in a lightweight quad scull. That quad went on to the 2003 World Rowing U23 Championships in Belgrade, where they placed fourth.[15]

In 2004 he moved into the Australian senior squad in the lightweight eight and in that boat he won a bronze medal at the 2004 World Rowing Championships in Banyoles, Spain.[15] At the 2005 World Rowing Championships in Gifu, Japan he competed in the lightweight coxless four.[15] He was made an Australian Institute of Sport Residential Scholar for 2006, based in Canberra.[16] At the 2006 World Rowing Championships at Eton Dorney he competed in the lightweight coxless pair and finished in fourth place.

In the years he was most active, 2001–2006, the boat position he frequently took was bow seat[17] who in coxless boats usually has responsibility for steering.[18] He sustained a significant back injury in the lead up to the 2006 World Championships. Smith retired due to this injury.[15]

Career

[edit]

Following his sporting career, Smith looked at becoming a journalist, and began an internship with the Canberra Press Gallery.[7] He had joined the Liberal Party in 2005, and realised that he was too partisan to ever report impartially: "I thought, no I can't do this because I'm barracking."[7] He took roles as a political adviser in Australia and United Kingdom. His first role was in 2006 as an electorate officer for Michael O'Brien[7] who was then the member for Malvern and the Shadow Minister for Gaming. In 2007, after completing a short course at LSE[7] Smith worked as a researcher for the UK Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis.[19] He returned to Australia in 2008 and briefly worked for Malcolm Turnbull when he was Leader of the Opposition.[7] Smith also staffed for Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson.[20]

A year after his election as a councillor for the City of Stonnington,[21] Smith was elected as the youngest Mayor of Stonnington.[22] His relationship with the state government was adversarial, particularly after Smith decided "to urge motorists to ignore clearways signs" which the Victorian government had erected in his municipality.[23]

In 2012, following his time as mayor, Smith worked as a management consultant[24] in strategy and operations with Deloitte[25] and as senior consultant working with the CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers.[20]

Parliamentary career

[edit]

Smith defeated Mary Wooldridge for Liberal preselection for the seat of Kew and won the seat in the 2014 Victorian state election.[26][27] He became the youngest member of the parliamentary Liberal Party.[28]

Smith held a number of positions in the Liberal Party's shadow cabinet. From December 2018, he was Shadow Minister for Planning and Heritage, for Local Government, for Housing, and for Population.[29] At this time, Smith appeared on Radio Melbourne with Jon Faine[30] and on ABC TV show The Drum.[31] He was also published in The Australian[32] and Herald Sun.[33]

Smith advocated for a cull of bats near the Yarra River in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[34]

Smith was briefly prominent in the media for his attacks on the state premier Daniel Andrews and the government's response to the pandemic, describing Andrews variously with terms including "loser", "dictator" and "looney" on Twitter.[35] Smith was asked by the leader of the opposition, Michael O'Brien to tone down the attacks.[36] Smith conducted a Twitter poll asking voters to choose between two derogatory names to be used for Premier Daniel Andrews; "Dictator Dan" or "Chairman Dan". This created tension within the Liberal Party, including speculation that Smith was undermining Mr O'Brien.[37]

In June 2020, following Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Melbourne, Smith criticised the government for not banning the protest.[38]

In September 2020, during Victoria's second COVID-19 lockdown, Smith created an online poll against the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews over the restrictions. In the online poll, Smith asked respondents to react to a post demanding that Andrews resign over his handling of the pandemic. All reactions on the post corresponded to "yes", except for the 'care' react. This led to an avalanche of support towards the 'care' react, with 27,000 responses, compared to 4,600 responses of all the other options combined.[39]

In October 2020, Smith criticised Daniel Andrews over the use of donuts as a symbol for days of zero locally acquired cases of COVID in Victoria. Smith attempted to use donuts to create the number 800, a reference to COVID deaths he attributed to Andrews, but was mocked on social media for its apparent resemblance to a penis and testes.[40]

In September 2021, Smith was controversially promoted to the role of Shadow Attorney-General, despite not holding a law degree.[41]

In October 2021, Smith resigned as Shadow Attorney-General and from the shadow cabinet after he crashed his car while driving under the influence of alcohol. His blood-alcohol concentration at the time was 0.131, more than double the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.050. His licence was suspended for 12 months.[42] Consequently, the Liberal Party leader, Matthew Guy, recommended to Smith that he not recontest his seat at the next election.[43] In November 2021 he announced he would resign from parliament at the next election in November 2022.[44]

In June 2022, Smith said he would cross the floor after the Liberal Party indicated it will support the government in establishing a Treaty – which he labelled as "divisive tokenism".[45][46][47] Smith was ultimately the sole MP to vote against the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022, with Smith requesting for his dissent to be recorded.[48][49]

In September 2022, Smith alleged that Matthew Guy offered to assist him in obtaining a seat in Victoria's upper house which would allow him to remain in parliament, however this never eventuated.[50]

After announcing his resignation from Parliament, he supported Jess Wilson, Business Council chair and former staffer to Josh Frydenberg for preselection for his seat, where she was ultimately successful.[51]

Toward the end of his parliamentary career, Smith said in an interview with The Age that he believes the Victorian Liberals should focus its efforts on the outer suburbs and regional seats and offer a point of difference from the Labor Party by moving further to the right. In the same interview he describes himself as “a cultural conservative [and] an insufferable constitutional monarchist.”[52]

Post-parliamentary career

[edit]

Following his parliamentary career, Smith moved to London and has worked as a reporter for British right-wing media outlet GB News,[53] including in Ukraine.[54] He also appeared on ultra right-wing Australian media outlet Sky News[55] He often speaks in favour of the monarchy and retaining it in Australia.[56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kew - Victorian Election 2014 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Smith, Tim - Australian Rowing History". www.rowinghistory-aus.info. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Member profile - Mr Tim Smith". Parliament of Victoria. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  4. ^ Rocca, Patrick (31 October 2021). "Tim Smith MP resigns from Victorian shadow cabinet after drink driving car crash". ABC News. Melbourne. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b Tomazin, Farrah (8 March 2014). "Meet the man who split the Liberals". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  6. ^ "1974 Lucerne Fourth World Championships - Australian Rowing History". australianrowinghistory.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Tippet, Gary (27 February 2010). "The man who sees no clear way to lie down and roll over". The Age. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  8. ^ Carolyn, Patrick (15 May 2020). "Is Tim Smith the Liberals' messiah or just a very naughty boy?". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Meet Tim | Tim Smith MP". timsmithmp.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Kew - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  11. ^ "2002 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  12. ^ "2003 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  13. ^ "2004 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  14. ^ "2006 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d "World Rowing - Tim SMITH". World Rowing. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Rowing Australia Annual Report 2005-2006" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Smith, Tim - Australian Rowing History". rowinghistory-aus.info. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  18. ^ "How the eight works". 27 March 2006. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Member Profile - Mr Tim Smith". parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  20. ^ a b Cook, Richard Willingham and Henrietta (3 March 2014). "New Kew Liberal candidate Tim Smith always wanted to captain teams". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Many young mayors (between these and Steve Staikos) have become the youngest to be electedGreek Reporter Australia | Greek Reporter Australia". 10 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  22. ^ "SA's young mayors ride high". adelaidenow.com.au. 10 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  23. ^ McMahon, Stephen (24 February 2020). "Motorists face $322 slug after cars towed in High St, Armadale and Victoria St, Richmond in clearway stand-off". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ "Struggling against Andrews, Vic Liberals consider leader swap". Australian Financial Review. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Member Profile - Mr Tim Smith". parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Minister fails to win preselection for safe seat of Kew". abc.net.au. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  27. ^ "Kew - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Governor's Speech". Hansard: 38–41. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Vic shadow ministry". weeklytimesnow.com.au. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  30. ^ Faine, Jon (16 May 2020). "Victorian Libs tearing themselves apart as Andrews soars". The Age. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  31. ^ The Drum - Thursday 26 May, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 26 May 2011, archived from the original on 2 November 2021, retrieved 12 September 2020
  32. ^ "Tim Smith | Author at The Australian". theaustralian.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  33. ^ Smith, Tim; Sukkar, Michael (2 March 2016). "Parent's values and rights ignored". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  34. ^ Hall, Bianca (21 April 2020). "Expert bats away call for 'ridiculous' cull of Yarra Bend flying foxes". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Liberal MP Tim Smith stands by attacks on Daniel Andrews over Victoria's coronavirus restrictions - ABC News". abc.net.au. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  36. ^ Loussikian, Samantha Hutchinson, Kylar (11 May 2020). "CBD Melbourne: Things working out nicely for Tim Smith". The Age. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ "Victorian Liberal frontbencher stands by 'loser', 'dictator' sledges against Premier". abc.net.au. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  38. ^ "Active cases of COVID-19 in Victoria hit record low as Black Lives Matter protest organisers fined". abc.net.au. 12 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  39. ^ Conaghan, Rachael (18 September 2020). "This MP Who Tried To Rig His Own Anti-Dan Andrews Facebook Poll Still Managed To Lose". Junkee. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  40. ^ Gillespie, Eden. "#DONUTDICK: MP RIDICULED AFTER TWEETING ODD IMAGE OF DONUTS". SBS The Feed. SBS. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  41. ^ Baz, Backroom (20 September 2021). "Michael O'Brien's parting shot". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  42. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya (31 October 2021). "Liberal MP Tim Smith resigns after crashing car driving more than twice legal limit". The Age. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Victorian Liberal leader tells MP caught drink driving not to contest next election". ABC News (Australia). 2 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  44. ^ "Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith won't recontest his seat following drink-driving incident - ABC News". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 November 2021.
  45. ^ "'Woke tokenism': Liberal MP to cross floor over treaty". 21 June 2022.
  46. ^ "Tim Smith makes a confession about his political future". 22 June 2022.
  47. ^ Hales, Holly (21 June 2022). "'Tokenism': Embattled MP's bold move". news. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  48. ^ "PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION THURSDAY, 23 JUNE 2022" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. p. 134. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  49. ^ "LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF VICTORIA VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS Nos 164, 165 and 166" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. p. 12. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  50. ^ Sakkal, Paul (9 September 2022). "Liberal MP Tim Smith says Matthew Guy misled public after drink-drive crash". The Age. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  51. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya (7 November 2021). "Ex-Frydenberg staffer shapes as front runner to take Smith's Kew seat". The Age. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  52. ^ https://amp.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/completely-screwed-over-by-one-person-i-trusted-implicitly-tim-smith-bares-all-20220907-p5bfzq.html
  53. ^ https://amp.theguardian.com/media/2023/jan/17/gb-news-rightwing-tv-channel
  54. ^ @GBNEWS (11 June 2023). "Tim Smith says there is a 'certain degree of nervousness' in Ukraine over Putin's capabilities and the likelihood he will use nuclear weapons" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  55. ^ https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/the-liberal-party-stood-for-nothing-former-liberal-mp-tim-smith-slams-partys-election-campaign/news-story/bb28ae3c75d2c11648ef380cea78a331?amp&nk=2db4e0e4b8e133e154101d27198be90a-1711875754
  56. ^ https://www.6newsau.com/post/ex-liberal-mp-tim-smith-appears-on-uk-tv-says-monarchy-is-increasing-in-popularity-in-australia

Sources

[edit]
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Kew
2014–2022 		Succeeded by
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