Councillor Matthew Thompson

Matthew Thompson was elected to the City of Sydney Council in 2024. A Glebe local, he believes that in a country as rich as ours, no one should live in poverty. 

A leading voice on the need to protect and expand rent-controlled public homes in the inner city, to freeze and cap rents, and to make housing affordable for all, Matthew spearheaded the City of Sydney's 2026 investigation into banning investor-owned AirBNBs to help return thousands of homes to the long-term rental market.

He has consistently argued that houses should be homes, not investment properties or mini-hotels generating huge profits for landlords. Growing up in poverty, Matthew regularly was forced to choose between putting food on the table or paying his rent. These experiences shape his belief that it is the role of Council to do everything it can to make sure everyone has what they need to live a good life.  

Before becoming a councillor, Matthew was a community services worker at Addison Road Community Centre, helping to expand their food pantry program that provides low-cost meals to those struggling to make ends meet.