As Minister for Agriculture, he was the first to realise that the most important function of the department was to educate the farmer. Swinburne was mainly responsible for the foundation of chairs in agricultural science and veterinary science at the University of Melbourne, although the latter chair has since been abandoned.
As Minister of Agriculture, he was the first to recognize that the most crucial function of the department was to educate farmers. Swinburne primarily established chairs in agricultural science and veterinary science at the University of Melbourne; however, the latter chair has since been discontinued.