Meryl Swanson understands her community and knows what is needed to make Paterson a great place to live, work, raise a family and run a business.

Born in Kurri Kurri Hospital and raised in a hard-working Heddon Greta family, Meryl went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts/Communications at the University of Newcastle.

Before entering politics, Meryl was a radio announcer, but has a career history that includes business manager for Hunter Region Organisation of Councils, executive director of Hunter Tourism and small business owner.

Meryl was elected to the House of Representatives as the first female Member for Paterson in 2016 and re-elected in 2019 and 2022. Meryl is Chair of the House Standing Committee on Agriculture.

Meryl has also served as Chair of Labor’s Regional Jobs Taskforce, and been a member of several parliamentary committees including the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and Deputy Chair of the Select Committee on Regional Australia.

She is also the member of numerous Labor Caucus committees and parliamentary friendship groups and played an active role in several parliamentary inquiries about investing in our regions, agriculture and PFAS contamination.