Introducing Matthew

Matthew is a 7th generation Tasmanian who lives in Hobart with his wife Ruth and young daughter Chloe, aged 2. He is one of six adult children of Ray and Gill and was educated in Burnie, Hobart and Melbourne.

Matthew has achieved considerable success professionally with over 15 years of national and international business experience and a specific expertise in renewable energy and climate change issues. His international experience includes renewable energy transactions in the UK, Europe, India and China. Matthew also has experience in mergers and acquisitions; project finance; joint ventures and international investment structures and has undertaken a senior executive program with the Mt Eliza Business School.

Formal qualifications include an Arts/Law degree from the University of Tasmania (majoring in political science) and a Master of Law degree from the University of Melbourne.

He initially worked as a lawyer with leading Australian law firms in Melbourne and London and in 2004 returned to Tasmania to take up a position in Business Development at Hydro Tasmania.

In 2005 Matthew was part of a small team of senior executives that established the Hobart based renewable energy company, Roaring 40s. Roaring 40s ultimately went on to become one of the leading renewable energy companies in the Asia Pacific region and the leading wind development company in China. Still with Roaring 40s, Matthew acts as General Counsel.

Through his role with Roaring 40s Matthew has also had significant practical experience in international carbon markets. Matthew was invited to participate on the Australian Clean Energy Council’s delegation to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen at the end of last year.

Through his business experience Matthew has developed a very strong interest in climate change policy and the emerging shift to a low carbon economy. Matthew is a great believer in the potential opportunities a low carbon economy can offer a State such as Tasmania. He is also very aware of the challenges it presents and is concerned to ensure that the policy response at both the state and federal level is considered and balanced and does not in any way jeopardise Tasmania’s economic future. He is a strong supporter of responsible development and considers public confidence in the integrity of government to be critical in this context.

Matthew is a firm believer that Tasmania’s economic future is tied inextricably to the fortunes of small business in this State. Matthew comes from a small business family and through his family’s experience has developed a great appreciation for the very significant challenges confronted by small business operators and respect for the contribution they make to the broader economy.

Matthew has a great love of the outdoors and Tasmania’s natural environment. He regularly enjoys bushwalking and camping with his young family and has a special affection for the East Coast of Tasmania and the Freycinet Peninsula in particular.

Matthew’s love of the environment is matched by his love of sport. As one of 6 children, he grew up playing sport of every kind and at every opportunity. His particular passion is for football and he was a very committed and determined young footballer. He remains blindly loyal to his beloved Melbourne Demons and still holds out faint hope of seeing a premiership in his lifetime! Matthew is also a keen distance runner and regularly participates in fun runs of various kinds.

As a keen sports follower, Matthew has long appreciated the importance of local clubs and associations in building strong communities. In his view, they can create great opportunities to engage people, particularly young people, and can also serve to promote greater acceptance of diversity. Matthew has been both a participant and supporter of a number of clubs and local charities over the years.

Matthew Groom is President of the West Hobart Branch of the Liberal Party.