Senator James Paterson was sworn in as Senator for Victoria in the Australian Parliament on March 15, 2016. He was appointed by a joint-sitting of the Victorian Parliament to the casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson on 9 March 2016.
At 28, he is the youngest ever Liberal Senator.
Prior to entering the Senate, James was Deputy Executive Director of the free market think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs. Before joining the IPA, James worked for the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), and in the office of Senator the Hon. Mitch Fifield.
After graduating from McKinnon Secondary College, James studied a double degree of Commerce and Arts at the University of Melbourne.
James has been a member of the Liberal Party since age 17 and is a former President of the Victorian Young Liberals. James lives with his wife Lydia in Melbourne.
