• Australian Labor Party Representative for Kingsford Smith
• Former Australian Labor Party Senator for NSW
• Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (since 13 May 2025)
  Assistant Minister for Immigration (since 29 Jul 2024)
• Entered the Senate on 1 July 2011 — Federal election
• Entered House of Representatives on 7 September 2013 — Federal election
• Left Senate on 9 August 2013 — Resigned
• Email me whenever Matt Thistlethwaite speaks (no more than once per day)

• Voting record
• Numbers
• Register of Interests

Bills: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading (26 Nov 2025)

“Modern Australia is built on migration. The great economic advancements that we had in the wake of World War II were related to the 'populate or perish' policy that our immigration department and Arthur Calwell delivered in those important years after the Second World War. Unfortunately, as a government, we're aware that too many migrants who are working in Australia have been exploited. They...”

Bills: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading (26 Nov 2025)

“Then don't.”

Constituency Statements: Gweagal Spears, Eastern Suburbs Football Association (5 Nov 2025)

“It was 254 years in the making, and the Gweagal spears have been returned to the La Perouse Aboriginal community. The four spears were taken by Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks at the time of first contact between the crew of the Endeavour and First Nations people of Kamay, or Botany Bay. They belong here in Australia on country, and I was delighted to join the local community for the...”

More of Matt Thistlethwaite's recent appearances

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Please note that numbers do not measure quality. Also, Representatives may do other things not currently covered by this site. (More about this)

• Has spoken in 20 debates in the last year — well below average amongst Representatives.
• Has spoken in 55 debates in the last year — average amongst Senators.
• People have made 1 comment on this Representative's speeches — above average amongst Representatives.
• People have made 0 comments on this Senator's speeches — below average amongst Senators.
• This Representative's speeches are understandable to an average 18–19 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 7 people are tracking whenever this Representative speaks — email me whenever Matt Thistlethwaite speaks.
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 658 times in debates — well above average amongst Representatives. (Why is this here?)
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 117 times in debates — below average amongst Senators. (Why is this here?)

Matt Thistlethwaite's latest interest statementLast updated: 16 Jul 2013