State Election 2017: How Labor’s Meaghan Scanlon became state’s youngest female MP

SHE’S on track to become the Gold Coast’s newest MP and the youngest female ever elected to the State Parliament. So, who is Meaghan Scanlon?

ALP candidate Meaghan Scanlon knew before she signed up to run for the seat of Gaven she would have an advantage over most other candidates.

At just 24, the lawyer is poised to be the youngest female to ever sit in Queensland parliament — taking the title from outgoing Broadwater MP Verity Barton who entered parliament at 26.

Labor's Meaghan Scanlon. Photo by Richard Gosling

Despite her young age, Miss Scanlon has an almost unparalleled understanding of what makes a unique city like the Gold Coast tick.

‘WE’LL BE WAITING DAYS FOR A RESULT’

“This is the electorate I grew up in and I am really excited to see that Gold Coasters have sent a very clear message they are sick and tired of the wall to wall LNP MPs here,” she said.

Miss Scanlon is the daughter of a Surfers Paradise cop. She went Guardian Angels Primary School in Southport and Aquinas College.

Flashback: Ms Scanlon as a student at Aquinas College students where students won at the national finals of the Rock Eisteddfod on a routine she choreographed.

While at Aquinas she made her mark in the performing arts, helping choreograph the school’s national win at the RAW challenge at the now defunct Rock Eisteddfod competition.

She even travelled to Japan at 15 to learn more about dance.

HOW LABOR BROKE COAST’S BLUE BLOC

Meaghan Scanlon (Right) with Crystal O'Rourke and Megganne Smits at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

She did not move far from university, completing her law degree at Griffith University.

“I have never lived anywhere but the Gold Coast,” she said.

Miss Scanlon spent just a year as a lawyer before joining the office of Labor powerbroker Senator Murray Watt.

Labor's Meaghan Scanlon is on track to be elected. Photo by Richard Gosling

At last year’s state election she took on Fadden MP Stuart Robert and won just 26 per cent of the primary vote.

‘WHY WE MUST STAY TOGETHER’

Meaghan Scanlon with fellow Aquinas College students Georgia Bobardt, and Ashton Wood upset because The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge was cancelled

In her spare time Miss Scanlon helps support brother Callum, who has Down syndrome, by working with charities who supported him.