Zaneta Mascarenhas

Zaneta Felice Antoinetta Mascarenhas (born 26 July 1980) is an Australian politician of Indian descent. She was elected to the Australian House of Representatives at the 2022 Australian federal election for the Division of Swan.

Early life and career
Mascarenhas was born on 26 July 1980 in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, to Indian immigrant parents of Goan descent who migrated from Kenya. She grew up in Kambalda and attended John Paul College in Kalgoorlie. She studied science and engineering at Curtin University in Perth where she became President of the Student Guild. She worked as an engineer for 15 years in Western Australia and Victoria, including as a FIFO engineer. She worked in climate change action for 12 years, where she helped ASX 200 companies with decarbonisation. She also volunteered for The Climate Reality Project.

Political career
Mascarenhas contested the Labor Party preselection for the Division of Swan for the 2019 Australian federal election, but withdrew, enabling Hannah Beazley to be preselected. Mascarenhas is part of the Labor Left faction of the Labor Party, and she is supported by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union. In June 2021, she beat Fiona Reid to win preselection for Swan at the 2022 Australian federal election.

At the 2022 election on 21 May, Mascarenhas won the Division of Swan, succeeding retiring Liberal Party politician Steve Irons and defeating his party's candidate Kristy McSweeney. Mascarenhas is the first woman to win the seat of Swan in its 101 year history. She is the first person of Goan origin to be elected to Australia's House of Representatives.

Personal life
Mascarenhas lives in Perth's East Victoria Park with her husband and two children.