Smith is the first non-conservative to represent the Ballina area in 88 years, first woman to hold the seat of Ballina, and the first regional Greens MP to represent a regional lower house seat in Australia.[3]
Smith retained the seat of Ballina, with an increase of 4.7 percent of the primary vote and a 2.3 percent two-party swing in her favour, in the 2019 election.[7]
Third term (2023 - ongoing)
Smith was re-elected as the Member for Ballina for a third time at the 2023 election, pushing the Nationals into second place, and with the overwhelming preference for her over the Nationals and Labor with a further increase of 4.0 percent of the primary vote.[8]
In October 2023, Smith signed an open letter which condemned attacks against Israeli and Palestinian civilians during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[9]
Personal
Smith was a secondary school teacher for many years in Ballina and Central Australia before becoming a solicitor in 2012. Smith has also worked in the areas of social justice, Aboriginal affairs and public education advocacy and has a keen research interest in women’s rights and global warming.[10]
Tamara is a Adjunct Professor in the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University, and a member of their Advisory Board.
Smith's family have lived in the Northern Rivers area for four generations. She has campaigned against the Howard government's WorkChoices scheme and coal seam gas.[11]