Matt Thistlethwaite

Matthew James Thistlethwaite (born 6 September 1972) is an Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2013, representing the electorate of Kingsford Smith. Since 29 July 2024, Thistlethwaite has served as the Assistant Minister for Immigration in the ministry of Anthony Albanese.

Thistlethwaite is a senior figure in the Labor Right faction and stands as the current convenor of the NSW branch. Before joining Parliament, he was the general secretary of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor Party. He served as a member of the Australian Senate from 2011 to 2013.

From 1 June 2022 to 29 July 2024, Thistlethwaite served as Assistant Minister for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and the Republic.

Early life Thistlethwaite was born in Sydney on 6 September 1972. He grew up in the suburb of Maroubra in a Catholic family. His father was a Qantas steward. Thistlethwaite worked as Garrett's campaign adviser. During his time as NSW ALP secretary Thistlethwaite backed Frank Sartor's unsuccessful candidacy to replace premier Nathan Rees and Rees was instead replaced by Kristina Keneally.

Senate He was endorsed for a seat in the Senate, representing New South Wales, at the 2010 election. He was successful, and his term began on 1 July 2011.

Following the announcement by Peter Garrett that he would not recontest the seat of Kingsford Smith at the next federal election, Thistlethwaite announced on 2 July 2013 that he would again seek Labor preselection; and gained endorsement on 20 July 2013, defeating Tony Bowen, the mayor of Randwick and son of former Kingsford Smith MP Lionel Bowen.

Thistlethwaite was elected as the member for Kingsford Smith at the election held on 7 September 2013. He was one of three people to move from the Senate to the House of Representatives at that election (the others were his ALP colleague David Feeney in Batman and former Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce in New England).

Opposition From 18 October 2013 to 23 July 2016, Thistlethwaite served as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration. and appointed Matt Thistlethwaite as the first 'Shadow Assistant Minister for an Australian Head of State'.

From 2 June 2019 to 28 January 2021 he served as Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services.

On 29 July 2024, as part of the Albanese Government's first ministry reshuffle, Thistlethwaite was made Assistant Minister for Immigration.

Thistlethwaite has ambitions of becoming a cabinet minister in the future.

He has been an active surf lifesaver for over 30 years. He was signed up as a member of the Maroubra surf club at the age of 13 by his father. He has served as the president of the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club for four years.

Thistlethwaite met former Premier of New South Wales and State Member for Maroubra, Bob Carr through the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. He has described Carr as a mentor.