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]

Meryl Swanson
Swanson in 2012
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Paterson
Assumed office
2 July 2016
Preceded byBob Baldwin
Personal details
Born
Meryl Jane Partridge

(1970-09-03) 3 September 1970 (age 54)
Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia
CitizenshipAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
SpouseNick Swanson
ResidenceBuchanan
Alma materUniversity of Newcastle
Websitewww.merylswanson.com.au

Early life

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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

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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]

Political positions

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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

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Swanson has two daughters with her husband Nick and lives on a 50-acre (20 ha) property in Buchanan.[11] As of 2019 she was a co-owner and director of Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd, which sells horse rugs.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Electorate: Paterson". Australia Votes – Federal Election 2016. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Meryl Swanson has become Paterson's first female MP". Port Stephens Examiner. Fairfax regional Media. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Ms Meryl Swanson MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Maiden speech". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. ^ McGowan, Michael (2 July 2016). "Paterson Australian federal election results 2016: Labor's Swanson secures clean sweep". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  6. ^ Swinton, Sage (4 June 2019). "Meryl Swanson officially declared as Paterson MP after 2019 Federal Election". Maitland Mercury. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference aph was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ McNaughton, Jane (8 December 2023). "Parliamentary agriculture committee makes 35 recommendations for Australia's food security". ABC News. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ^ Brown, Greg (25 March 2021). "We must support coalminers, Meryl Swanson tells ALP". The Australian. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  11. ^ "About Meryl Swanson". Meryl Swanson MP. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Federal election 2019: Paterson MP Meryl Swanson denies attack on eligibility". Newcastle Herald. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.

 

Australian House of Representatives
Preceded by Member for Paterson
2016–present
Incumbent