Episode 028 - Mr Matt Keogh MP

In this episode, we talk to Mr Matt Keogh MP, Member for Burt in Western Australia and Shadow Minister for Defence Industry; Shadow Minister for Western Australian Resources, and Shadow Minister Assisting for Small and Family Business, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse. Topics covered include: - The Western Australian resources industry - The work of a Shadow Minister Assisting for Small and Family Business - The impact of the life of a politician on a growing family - How politicians allocate time effectively - What are the concerns of local constituents - What the Building a Better Burt vision means for local residents and businesses - The disengagement of young people in broad politics - How the lack of community is affecting politics - The missing link between young people and education around politics - The importance of joining a political party - How to establish what information is genuine and how to analyse information and political news About Mr Keogh: Matt was elected as the first member for the Federal Division of Burt in the south-eastern suburbs of Perth at the 2016 Federal Election. Matt grew up in the Kelmscott Hills, attended school in Armadale and has strong ties to the local community. Matt has worked closely with community organisations throughout his life in what is now known as the seat of Burt in Perth's south eastern suburbs. He continues to strive to “change the story” in the area. Following the 2019 Federal Election Matt took on the Shadow Portfolio areas of Defence Industry and WA Resources, which are vitally important to WA and the nation as a whole. He provides a WA perspective to these portfolios as well as through assisting the Shadow Minister for Small & Family Business. In all of these areas he focuses on building job opportunities as well as supporting businesses in an effort to provide much needed employment opportunities and growth for our nation. Prior to taking on his portfolio responsibilities, Matt served on a wide range of committees including the House of Representatives standing committee on Economics, Agriculture and Water Resources and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services. Before Federal Politics Matt worked with a leading international law firm in Perth. He specialised in corporate crime including regulatory work, anti-bribery and corruption. Prior to this Matt worked as a Federal Prosecutor, prosecuting corporate crime. Throughout his legal career Matt worked alongside various organisations to benefit the community including Starick services, he served as the President of the Law Society of Western Australia and the director of the Law Council of Australia and Chairperson of Law Access. Through these roles Matt has fought for better access to justice for all Australians, especially those that can’t afford it. Matt is married to his wife Annabel, who he met while studying Law at university and shortly after the 2016 Federal Election they welcomed their first son into the world.