Christine Smith (politician)

Christine Anne Smith, MP (born 11 October 1946) is an Australian politician. She represents the electoral district of Burleigh in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and was first elected at the 2001 State election for the first Australian Labor Party.

Christine has lived on the Gold Coast for 21 years. Prior to becoming an MP she worked with Centrelink, an experience which gave her an insight into a diverse range of social situations.

Christine is a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) and has been involved in many local community organisations. She is a member of the Qld Mental Health Association and committee member of the Gold Coast Branch, Palm Beach Police Consultative Committee, Burleigh Heads Lions Club, Girl Guide Trefoil Group, Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce and an honorary member of the Burleigh Heads Scouts.

Christine is also patron of various organisations including the Order of the Old Bastards, the Coolamon Chorale, the Gold Coast Horse & Carriage Club, the Miami Tennis Club, Care for Life Suicide Prevention and Burleigh Heads Pensioners Association. She is also Vice-President of Palm Beach SLSC.

Christine and her husband Robert have been married for 41 years. They raised two sons and have two much-loved grandsons.

Their eldest son battled mental illness for many years, inspiring Christine to become vocal in the fight to raise the profile of mental illness and to ensure better and more appropriate funding. After his death in 2006 Christine has redoubled her efforts to put this issue firmly on the agenda.

To this end she works with many local community organisations and has become the recognised face for this issue by both the community and her parliamentary colleagues.

^[1]

References

1. ^ Scott, Leisa (4 February 2006). "accidental politician". QWeekend Magazine (Brisbane, Australia): p. 23. 

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Name	Smith, Christine
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Date of birth	11 October 1946
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