On 12 December 1995, she was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in a recount to replace LiberalLyons MHA and former premierRobin Gray. She was appointed to Cabinet in the ministry of Tony Rundle from March 1996 to September 1998, where she held the portfolios of community development, the status of women, Aboriginal affairs, multicultural and ethnic affairs, and local government.[3] She was granted the title "The Honourable" for life on 16 October 1998.[4] In August 2001, Swan became deputy Liberal leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition under Bob Cheek, however Swan and Cheek both lost their seats a year later at the 2002 state election.[5]