Wikipedia

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.

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Voting Record Full record ↗

Voted for

increasing scrutiny of asylum seeker management increasing trade unions' powers in the workplace increasing protection of Australia's fresh water increasing restrictions on gambling increasing consumer protections increasing the diversity of media ownership decreasing the gender pay gap increasing transparency of big business by making information public restricting donations to political parties creating a federal Anti-Corruption Commission stopping tax avoidance or aggressive tax minimisation

Mixed / less clear

a transition plan for coal workers capping international student numbers at universities encouraging Australian-based industry the Paris Climate Agreement implementing refugee and protection conventions making the cashless debit card program voluntary and not mandatory increasing workplace protections climate change mitigation strategies (e.g., carbon capture and storage) increasing investment in renewable energy federal action on public housing vehicle efficiency standards

Voted against

privatising government-owned assets increasing accessibility of government data and documents increasing indexation of HECS-HELP debts putting welfare payments onto cashless debit cards (or indue cards) on a temporary basis as a trial the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) protecting citizens' privacy a same-sex marriage plebiscite increasing the initial tax rate for working holiday makers to 19% an Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) increasing scrutiny of unions stopping people who arrive by boat from ever coming to Australia

Recent Votes – Current Parliament

The 10 most recent “Aye” and “No” votes recorded in the Australian Parliament's own division records this term, sourced directly from aph.gov.au independently of the voting-record data above.

Most recent Aye votes

2026-07-01 – Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 (Health)
2026-07-01 – Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 (Health)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-06-30 – Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026 (Industrial Relations)
2026-06-30 – Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026 (Industrial Relations)
2026-06-30 – Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026 (Tax/Economy/Finance)
2026-06-25 – Matter of public importance
2026-06-25 – Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 (Tax/Economy/Finance)

Most recent No votes

2026-10-14 – Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 (Tax/Economy/Finance)
2026-10-14 – Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 (Tax/Economy/Finance)
2026-10-13 – Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2026 (Immigration/Border)
2026-07-02 – Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026 (Tax/Economy/Finance)
2026-07-01 – Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026 (Communications/Tech/Media)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)
2026-07-01 – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (Aged Care/Disability)

Interests & Gifts

View full register page

Shareholdings

Self: Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd; Swanridge Super Pty Ltd; Swanridge Superannuation Fund (SMSF); Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd; Lynas Corporation Ltd; National Australia Bank Ltd; NIB Holdings Ltd; Swanridge Group Pty Ltd - investment and trustee of Swanridge Family Trust; Commonwealth Bank Shares
Spouse/partner: Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd; Swanridge Super Pty Ltd; Swanridge Superannuation Fund (SMSF); Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd; Lynas Corporation Ltd; National Australia Bank Ltd; NIB Holdings Ltd; Swanridge Group Pty Ltd - investment and trustee of Swanridge Family Trust; Commonwealth Bank Shares

Trusts And Nominee Companies

I Beneficial Interest — Self: Name Of Trust Or Nominee Company: Swanridge Family Trust · Nature Of Operation: Investment/operates business providing agistment and fencing services. · Beneficial Interests: Unit holder of operating trust Principal beneficiary (jointly with spouse)
I Beneficial Interest — Spouse/partner: Name Of Trust Or Nominee Company: Swanridge Family Trust · Nature Of Operation: Investment/operates business providing agistment and fencing services. · Beneficial Interests: Principal beneficiary (jointly with spouse)

Real Estate

Self: Location: House Buchanan NSW · Purpose: Residential (owned jointly with spouse); Location: Unit Kingston ACT · Purpose: Residential (owned jointly with spouse); Location: House and granny flat Kurri Kurri NSW · Purpose: Investment (owned jointly with spouse); Location: Unit Nelson Bay NSW · Purpose: Investment (owned jointly with spouse)
Spouse/partner: Location: House Buchanan NSW · Purpose: Residential (owned jointly with spouse); Location: Unit Kingston ACT · Purpose: Residential (owned jointly with spouse); Location: House and granny flat Kurri Kurri NSW · Purpose: Investment (owned jointly with spouse); Location: Unit Nelson Bay NSW · Purpose: Investment (owned jointly with spouse)

Directorships

Self: Director of Swanridge Super Pty Ltd.
Spouse/partner: Director of Swanridge Super Pty Ltd.; Swanridge Investments

Liabilities

Self: Nature Of Liability: Home loan (jointly with spouse) · Creditor: The Mutual; Nature Of Liability: Investment property loan (jointly with spouse) · Creditor: The Mutual
Spouse/partner: Nature Of Liability: Home loan (jointly with spouse) · Creditor: The Mutual; Nature Of Liability: Investment property loan (jointly with spouse) · Creditor: The Mutual

Saving Or Investment Accounts

Self: Nature Of Account: Investment account (via SMSF jointly with spouse) · Institution: Macquarie Bank; Nature Of Account: Savings account (jointly with spouse) · Institution: Commonwealth Bank; Nature Of Account: Savings account (jointly with spouse) · Institution: The Mutual
Spouse/partner: Nature Of Account: Investment account (via SMSF jointly with spouse) · Institution: Macquarie Bank; Nature Of Account: Savings account (jointly with spouse) · Institution: Commonwealth Bank; Nature Of Account: Savings account (jointly with spouse) · Institution: The Mutual; Nature Of Account: Business Account (via Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd) · Institution: National Australia Bank; Nature Of Account: Credit Card (via Swanridge Investments Pty Ltd) · Institution: National Australia Bank

Other Assets Over 7500

Self: Perpetual Managed Funds - By Property Securities,Fidelity Australia Equity,Lazards Global List infrastructure,MFS Global Equity,OnePath Diversified Fixed Interest (via SMSF jointly held with spouse)
Spouse/partner: Perpetual Managed Funds - By Property Securities,Fidelity Australia Equity,Lazards Global List infrastructure,MFS Global Equity,OnePath Diversified Fixed Interest (via SMSF jointly held with spouse); Life insurance policy held via SMSF; Tractor held in Swanridge Family Trust

Other Substantial Sources Of Income

Self: Income from investments as set out above
Spouse/partner: Income from investments as set out above; Income from operating trust as set out above

Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality Over 300

Self: QANTAS Chairmans Lounge Membership (covers spouse); Virgin Australia The Club Membership (covers spouse)

Memberships Conflict Possible

Self: Tomaree Business Chamber Member; Cessnock Performing Arts Centre Member; Womens Network Hunter Member; Richmond Vale Rail Trail Inc Member; Kurri Golf Club Member; Raymond Terrace & District Historical Society Patron; Maitland Repertory Theatre Patron; National Service & Combined Forces Association of Australia Inc Maitland Branch - Patron; Newcastle Golf Club - Honorary membership; Patron of Maitland and District Cricket Umpire' and Scorers ' Association Incorporated; Member of Maitland Regional Art Gallery; Patron - Maitland Musical Society Inc.

Salary

We estimate Meryl Swanson received a parliamentary salary of: $239,270

Based on the Remuneration Tribunal base salary of $239,270 plus any additional allowance for ministerial, shadow or office-holder roles held at time of generation.

Expenditure

Latest quarter total: $187,651
Office Consumables and Services: $7,440
Printing and Communications: $73,834
Private-Plated Vehicle: $7,413
COMCAR: $2,925
Travel Allowance: $5,796
Telecommunications - Usage: $727
Telecommunications - Residential - Official: $319
Fares: $7,723
Scheduled Commercial Transport: $1,102
Domestic Travel: $29,124
Office Facilities - Not stated: $51,249

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