Matthew Charlton

Matthew Charlton (15 March 1866 – 8 December 1948) was an Australian politician who served as leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Leader of the Opposition from 1922 to 1928. Born in Linton, Victoria, he moved to Lambton, New South Wales, as a child. Charlton left school early to work in coal mines, starting as a hurrier, and later became active in the trade union movement. In 1903, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Labor Party, transitioning to federal parliament in 1910. Charlton opposed conscription during World War I and remained with Labor after the party split in 1916.

Charlton became ALP leader in 1922 following Frank Tudor's death. He led the party through the 1922 and 1925 federal elections but lost both. His leadership was marked by opposition to military training and support for the Geneva Protocol, which aimed to prevent war. Charlton resigned as leader on 29 March 1928 and was succeeded by James Scullin.

After retiring from federal politics, Charlton served as an alderman on the Lambton Council from 1934 to 1938. He died in Lambton on 8 December 1948 and was buried in Sandgate Cemetery. The Division of Charlton, a safe Labor seat from 1984 to 2016, was named in his honor.