By now, it’s obvious to anyone paying attention—Labor MP Meryl Swanson has a huge problem heading into the next federal election. That problem? The growing likelihood that Maitland’s Mayor, Philip Penfold, a strong and popular Independent, will challenge her for the seat of Paterson.
Now, why does this matter? Because for years, Labor has treated Paterson as their personal property—a safe seat they can take for granted. Swanson has held the seat since 2016, coasting on the idea that the Labor brand alone was enough to keep her in Parliament. But after years of neglect, rising costs of living, and a government more interested in virtue-signaling than actually helping working-class Australians, voters in Paterson are starting to wake up.
And let’s be clear: An Independent would be a far better choice for Paterson.
Why? Because an Independent like Philip Penfold—who actually understands local issues—won’t be shackled by the party machine. He won’t be forced to toe the line when Albanese and Bowen push insane energy policies that make power more expensive. He won’t have to pretend that shipping in hundreds of thousands of migrants while housing prices explode is a good idea. And he certainly won’t be forced to parrot the Labor talking points that have left so many regional communities behind.
Let’s talk about Meryl Swanson’s record for a second. What has she actually done for Paterson? Has she stood up to Labor’s disastrous energy policies that are killing off jobs in the Hunter? No. Has she fought against Labor’s open-border madness that’s driving up rents and house prices? No. Has she done anything—anything at all—to push back against the radical climate cultists who want to shut down coal and gas without a replacement? Of course not.
And here’s the real kicker: The people of Paterson don’t want this. They don’t want weak, party-line politicians who take their votes for granted. They want someone who will actually fight for them. Someone who understands the challenges of running a business, raising a family, and keeping a community strong.
That’s why an Independent is exactly what Paterson needs.
With a strong local Independent in Parliament, the people of Paterson wouldn’t be ignored anymore. They wouldn’t be stuck with a career politician who just follows orders from the Labor leadership. They’d have someone who actually listens to them, fights for them, and doesn’t sell them out for a cushy party position.
So here’s the question: Will Paterson voters take this chance to break free from the Labor machine? Will they reject Meryl Swanson’s do-nothing politics and put an Independent in Parliament who will actually fight for them?
If Philip Penfold runs, they’ll have that choice. And Labor should be very, very nervous.