Stephen Smith (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Smith
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Official portrait, 2023
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| High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom | |
| Assumed office 26 January 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Lynette Wood (Acting) George Brandis |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 14 September 2010 – 18 September 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | John Faulkner |
| Succeeded by | David Johnston |
| Minister for Trade | |
| In office 28 June 2010 – 14 September 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | Simon Crean |
| Succeeded by | Craig Emerson |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 3 December 2007 – 14 September 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | Alexander Downer |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Rudd |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Perth |
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| In office 13 March 1993 – 5 August 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Ric Charlesworth |
| Succeeded by | Alannah MacTiernan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Stephen Francis Smith
12 December 1955 Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse | Jane Seymour |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Western Australia University of London |
Stephen Francis Smith (born 12 December 1955) is an Australian politician and diplomat. He is currently Australia's High Commissioner (like an ambassador) to the United Kingdom, a role he started in 2023.
Before this, he was a member of the Australian Labor Party. He served as a federal Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Perth from 1993 to 2013. During his time in government, he held important jobs like Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007–2010), Minister for Trade (2010), and Minister for Defence (2010–2013).
Early Life and Education
Stephen Smith was born in Narrogin, Western Australia. He went to CBC Highgate for school. Later, he studied at the University of Western Australia and the University of London. At the University of London, he earned a master's degree in law.
Before becoming a politician, he worked as a lawyer and also taught at a university. He also worked for important government officials. From 1990 to 1993, he was an adviser to Paul Keating, who later became the Prime Minister of Australia.
Political Career
Stephen Smith was a key member of the Labor Party for many years. When the Labor Party was not in power, he was part of the "Shadow Ministry." This group of politicians prepares to take on government roles if their party wins an election.
He held several shadow minister roles:
- Shadow Minister for Trade (1996–1997)
- Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy (1997–1998)
- Shadow Minister for Communications (1998–2001)
- Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing (2001–2003)
- Shadow Minister for Immigration (2003–2004)
- Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations (2004–2006)
- Shadow Minister for Education and Training (2006–2007)
In 2007, the Labor Party won the federal election. Stephen Smith was then appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in Kevin Rudd's government. This meant he was in charge of Australia's relationships with other countries.
When Julia Gillard became Prime Minister in 2010, she also made him Minister for Trade. This role involved looking after Australia's business dealings with other nations. After the 2010 federal election, he became the Minister for Defence. In this job, he was responsible for Australia's military and national security.
In 2013, Stephen Smith announced that he would not run for re-election. He decided to leave politics after many years of service.
After Parliament
After leaving federal politics, Stephen Smith continued to contribute in other ways. In 2014, he became a professor of International Law at the University of Western Australia.
He also served as the Chairman of a cyber security company called archTIS from 2018 to 2020.
In 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked Stephen Smith to help lead a special review of the Australian Defence Force. This review looked at how Australia's military could be made stronger.
On 30 September 2022, it was announced that Stephen Smith would become the next High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom. He officially started this important diplomatic role on 26 January 2023.
Photo gallery
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Stephen Smith in early 2005
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Stephen Smith in early 2008
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Robert Gates meets face-to-face with Stephen Smith
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US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (2nd from left, Debra Cagan to his left) hosts a Pentagon meeting with Stephen Smith (right) in the Pentagon on 28 January 2008
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Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (centre) and Stephen Smith (right) with students from Wesley College during a visit to Kings Park State War Memorial in Perth
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Stephen Smith (right) meets Hillary Clinton (centre) and Katsuya Okada (left) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on 21 September 2009
See also
In Spanish: Stephen Smith para niños
- First Rudd Ministry
- First Gillard Ministry
- Second Gillard Ministry
- Second Rudd Ministry
