Matt is a long-standing western suburbs local and has been the Member for Colton since 2018. Prior to entering state parliament, Matt was a Paralympian and business professional. This experience gave him the skills, knowledge and hard-working attitude he deploys representing the people of Colton every day.
From an early age, Matt learnt that hard work, focus and perseverance pays off. Matt was born with a congenital amputation of his left arm and through grit and self-belief, Matt always found ways to succeed. The discipline, focus and work ethic Matt demonstrated whilst winning 13 Paralympic gold medals in swimming, combined with his charity and local community work, shape his approach to representing our local community and businesses.
Matt has been a champion for improving services in the western suburbs. After Labor’s Transforming Health policies ripped the heart out of our local TQEH hospital, Matt and the Liberal Government has overseen the return of 24/7 cardiac services to TQEH and delivery of the most substantial upgrade in the hospital’s history – the $312m new clinical services building with expanded ED and ICU capacity. Matt has also supported significant upgrades at local schools, including the installation of high-speed internet across the electorate and the $12m upgrade of Henley High School. Since coming to government in 2018, operating hours at the Henley Beach Police Station have been restored after being cut significantly by the previous government in their final term.
Matt has also been a staunch advocate for improving our local environment. As the local member, he has secured funding for the final stage of the Breakout Creek project that will greatly improve the final section of the River Torrens. He has also supported the rebuilding of West Beach and a long-term sustainable solution to sand management along the metropolitan coastline. As a member of the Marshall Liberal Government, he also supported the introduction of nation-leading legislation to ban single use plastics and a move to open for public enjoyment South Australia’s reservoirs.
As a former Director of the children’s charity Variety and Ambassador for the Premier’s Be Active Challenge, Matt understands the critical roles that local sports, lifesaving and community groups play. He supports these groups to the best of his ability and is always happy to lend a hand when needed.
Matt is passionate about his work in the community and in assisting and advocating for local residents on the issues they care strongly about.
If Matt can ever be of assistance, feel free to get in touch.
The district was created at the 1991 boundary redistribution and first contested and represented in 1993.
The electorate of Colton was named after Mary Colton (1822-1898) who arrived in Adelaide in 1839 and worked for the welfare of women and children. Associated with many organisations helping poor city mothers, orphaned and neglected children, and the sight, speech and hearing impaired.
Mary Colton was a founder of the Adelaide Children's Hospital and President of the Women's Suffrage League which campaigned for equal voting rights for women which were granted in 1894.
Colton is situated in Adelaide’s western suburbs and includes the seaside suburbs of Fulham, Fulham Gardens, Henley Beach, Henley Beach South, Kidman Park, Lockleys, West Beach and the Adelaide Airport. Under a redraw of electoral boundaries, the majority of the suburb of Grange will now return to the seat of Colton, having shifted to Lee at the most recent election, and Glenelg North, which previously resided in Colton, will return to the seat of Morphett
View Map of Colton
