Meryl Swanson | |
|---|---|
 Swanson in 2025 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Paterson | |
| Assumed office 2 July 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Baldwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Meryl Jane Partridge 3 September 1970 Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia |
| Citizenship | Australian |
| Party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Nick Swanson |
| Alma mater | University of Newcastle |
| Website | www |
Meryl Jane Swanson (née Partridge; born 3 September 1970) is an Australian politician and former radio presenter. She is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and has represented the Division of Paterson in the Australian House of Representatives since the 2016 federal election.[1][2]
Early life
Swanson was born on 3 September 1970 in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales.[3] She grew up in nearby Heddon Greta.[4] She holds the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Newcastle. After graduating she worked in broadcasting for several years, as a researcher, producer and reporter for NBN Television and as a presenter with 2KO. She later worked as a business manager for the Hunter Region Organisation of Councils (1993–1996), as an electorate officer for Joel Fitzgibbon (1996–1997), and as executive director of Hunter Tourism (1997). After starting a family she operated a café for several years and then returned to radio with 2HD and 2NUR.[3]
Politics
Swanson was elected to parliament at the 2016 federal election, winning the seat for the Labor Party following the retirement of incumbent Liberal MP Bob Baldwin. She was assisted by a favourable redistribution prior to the election.[5] She retained the seat at the 2019 election despite a five-point swing against the ALP.[6]
After the 2019 election, Swanson endorsed Joel Fitzgibbon for the leadership of the ALP, although he eventually decided not to stand.[7] In August 2020 she was appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence in Anthony Albanese's shadow ministry.[3]
Following the ALP's victory at the 2022 election, Swanson was appointed chair of the House Standing Committee on Agriculture.[8] She oversaw what she described as "the most substantial inquiry into Australia's food systems in a decade", with its report delivered in December 2023 recommending the government develop a national food plan, appoint a minister for food and establish a food council.[9]
After the 2025 election, the Agriculture Committee was renamed the Primary Industries Committee and Swanson was retained as its Chair.[8]
Political positions
Swanson is a member of the Labor Right faction. In March 2021 she "urged MPs [...] to be careful about the way they talked about taking action on climate change, arguing that coal workers should not feel demonised as Australia transitions to a low-emissions future".[10]
Personal life
Swanson has two daughters with her husband Nick and lives on a 50-acre (20 ha) property in Buchanan.[11] As of 2019[update] she was a co-owner and director of Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd, which sells horse rugs.[12]
References
- ^ "Electorate: Paterson". Australia Votes – Federal Election 2016. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ "Meryl Swanson has become Paterson's first female MP". Port Stephens Examiner. Fairfax regional Media. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "Ms Meryl Swanson MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Maiden speech". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ McGowan, Michael (2 July 2016). "Paterson Australian federal election results 2016: Labor's Swanson secures clean sweep". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Swinton, Sage (4 June 2019). "Meryl Swanson officially declared as Paterson MP after 2019 Federal Election". Maitland Mercury. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Elias, Charlie (23 May 2019). "Labor's Meryl Swanson holds on to Paterson seat despite 5 per cent swing to Liberal's Sachin Joshi". Port Stephens Examiner. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Ms Meryl Swanson MP". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ McNaughton, Jane (8 December 2023). "Parliamentary agriculture committee makes 35 recommendations for Australia's food security". ABC News. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ Brown, Greg (25 March 2021). "We must support coalminers, Meryl Swanson tells ALP". The Australian. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "About Meryl Swanson". Meryl Swanson MP. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Federal election 2019: Paterson MP Meryl Swanson denies attack on eligibility". Newcastle Herald. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
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- 1970 births
- Living people
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Paterson
- Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Australia
- Labor Right politicians
- Women members of the Australian House of Representatives
- 21st-century Australian women politicians
- People from Kurri Kurri
- Australian radio presenters
- Australian women radio presenters
- University of Newcastle (Australia) alumni
- Australian MPs 2016–2019
- Australian MPs 2019–2022
- Australian MPs 2022–2025
- Australian MPs 2025–2028
- Australian Labor Party members of the House of Representatives stubs
