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 1996 he was an adviser to the Paul Keating, first as Treasurer, then as Prime Minister.
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, and for Health and Ageing 2001-04. He has been Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations since October 2004.
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.