Stephen Smith (Australian politician)

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Stephen Francis Smith (born 12 December 1955), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Perth, Western Australia. He was born in Narrogin, Western Australia, and was educated at the University of Western Australia and the University of London, where he gained a master's degree in law. He was a solicitor, lecturer and tutor before entering politics. He was principal private secretary to the Western Australian Attorney-General 1983-87 and State Secretary of the Western Australian Labor Party 1987-90. From 1990 to 1993 he was an adviser to Paul Keating, first as Treasurer, then as Prime Minister. However he fell out with Mr Keating after entering the parliament and publicly criticised the 1993 federal budget.

Smith has been a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry since March 1996. He was Shadow Minister for Trade 1996-1997, for Resources and Energy 1997-98, for Communications 1998-2001, Health and Ageing 2001-03 and Immigration 2003-2004. He was Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations from October 2004 until December 2006, when he was appointed to the position of Shadow Minister for Education and Training.

During the leadership crisis in the Labor Party in 2003, Smith was a prominent supporter of his fellow Western Australian, Kim Beazley, and his name was mentioned as a possible future leader. He again supported Beazley in the leadership contest which followed the resignation of Mark Latham in January 2005, which saw Beazley return to the leadership. He continues to be seen as a leadership contender in the future.

Persondata
NAME	Smith, Stephen Francis
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH	12 December 1955
PLACE OF BIRTH	Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia
DATE OF DEATH	living
PLACE OF DEATH