Meryl Swanson
Meryl Swanson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Swanson in 2012 | |
| 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 |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Nick Swanson |
| Residence | Buchanan |
| 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ "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.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
aphwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 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 politicians
- 21st-century Australian women politicians
- People from Kurri Kurri
- Australian radio presenters
- Australian women radio presenters
- University of Newcastle (Australia) alumni
- Australia Labor Party, Representative stubs