Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
Thursday, 31 July 2025
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First week in Parliament a week of firsts for MP Matt
LEFT: Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith with the ALP First Nations caucus. ABOVE: Matt at the Parliament’s opening ceremony last week. Pics supplied. In a surprise move to some, Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith has joined the Australian Labor Party’s First Nations caucus as he experiences his first sessions in Parliament this week. “Parliament has been great so far, though the weather leaves something to be desired,” he said. “To get the opportunity to promote your home, your community and to agitate on behalf of things that are the needs and wants of where we live – we are positioned at the highest level
of responsibility to do so. “The building itself is a maze, but stepping into the chamber to speak, you understand the level of responsibility upon you. “It is so important for me to be a strong representative for Leichhardt and to ensure that our story is told. “To assist with this, I have joined the First Nations caucus. “I am proud to have Aboriginal heritage, though I unfortunately have no connection to country or culture.
“My story is the same as thousands of others. “We came to an understanding of our family’s history late, that my family had leant into the idea of ‘Spanish’ – though there is definitely no Spanish in our genealogy. “One day, I will return to Victoria to better understand my roots as a gift to my children. “I am and always have been open with my heritage to those who have asked, but due to my
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lack of cultural authority, I was always careful not to position myself as a person with cultural authority or with influence that frankly I do not have. “Like I said, stories like this are not unusual, and I hope that others who find themselves in a similar position to me are able to explore their roots, but without public scrutiny. “To help me in the meantime to ensure I am walking the right path in Canberra, I have my friends
Malarndirri, Marion, Jana, Dorinda and Gordon to help me. “Also, in my team, I have a colleague who can and does speak on cultural authority while we are at home, and assist me with cultural practices. “Leichhardt has one of the highest populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the country, and sitting in Caucus allows me to further understand my own history while advocating for my region.”