For your info, the seat of Hunter is held by Labor, has been for ever, that is why Labor neglect this little corner of Australia because it is considered a 'safe' seat for them. Time to put the fox amongst the chickens and show Labor that we will not be ignored.

Re the seat of Hunter.- Get used to it . There has been no election material from the sitting member for the past two elections. Once upon a time when Hunter was marginal, campaigns were very interesting but since Joel Fitzgibbon has been member, he has taken it for granted he will be re-elected and hence you never hear anything from him until you get handed a how to vote with his name and picture on it on polling day.

Thankyou for the heads up. Now I understand. I was previously in the seat of Paterson and was used to having my vote count. Maybe it is time to put the fox amongst the pidgeons. Is that the same Joel Fitzgibbon that was sacked as Defence Minister?

Yes Russell, the same Joel. See http://wollombi.nsw.au/elections/ for details of the Hunter candidates and links to other resources and news.

mark's comments about labour party yesterday looked to be lifted straight from big bobs ads. the 1,000,000 per day was calculated by liberal staffers & was shown last week to be incorrect. our debt level was shown to be 6% gdp, close to lowest in developed world. stimulus created employment when it was desperately needed to avoid ressession & keep money flowing. my kids havnt long finished school & in the approx 15yrs they went to the local public schools i never saw 1 school building built, but again they didn't attend a sydney private school which probably needed those swimming pools etc they got more. as for leadership spills you must of forgot mr turnbull & hockey's scrum only months ago. and as for who the real mr abbott is, i'm not sure if it's the chauvinist standover man from the howard gov or the new user friendly, you can't believe everything i say chameleon we see now.

I have to thank Michael Johnsen the National candidate for contacting my wife and providing us with an outline of his local policy issues and the National policy agenda as well. At least he seems to care and he must read the Mercury. Sorry for the mixed metaphor it's the fox amongst the chickens and the cat amongst the pigeons.

For Oh Dear, you certainly have read a lot into what Mark said. I still haven't even received a how to vote from Mr Fiztgibbon yet though.