When Jeff Kennett became premier in a 1992 landslide, Smith was appointed Minister for Finance, but resigned from the Kennett cabinet because of legal action brought against him by Cheryl Harris who was pregnant with his child. He later won that legal action but retired from politics in 1999.
Jeff Kennett's rise to premier in a 1992 landslide led to Smith being appointed Minister for Finance, however, he stepped down from the Kennett government following Cheryl Harris, who was pregnant with his child, filing legal action against him. He later successfully defended himself but ultimately decided to leave politics by 1999.