David Smith

David Lawrence Smith (12 October 1943 – 16 April 2026) was an Australian politician who was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1983 to 1996. He served as a minister in the governments of Peter Dowding and Carmen Lawrence.

Early life and career Smith was born in Bunbury, Western Australia. He attended Marist Brothers' St Francis Xavier's boys school in Bunbury and St Ildephonsus college in New Norcia. After graduating from high school he studied law at the University of Western Australia. A member of the Labor Party since 1967, he contested the seat of Bunbury at the 1977 state election, but lost to the sitting Liberal member, John Sibson. Smith served on the City of Bunbury council from 1979 to 1983, In 2023, Smith was honoured as a freeman of the City of Bunbury.

Personal life and death Smith's mother was Evelyn Smith, who was renowned for her special relationship with local dolphins. He was married to Tresslyn Smith, a councillor with the City of Bunbury and Deputy Mayor. Smith had three children. He was a Catholic.