Port Stephens councillor Ken Jordan considering tilt at Paterson in federal election

But a year after he was beaten by Kate Washington in the state seat of Port Stephens, he insists he isn't rushing into any decision.

A Port Stephens councillor and Maitland school teacher, Cr Jordan says his phone "hasn't stopped ringing" since Bob Baldwin announced his retirement from federal politics on Saturday, throwing the party's prized Hunter seat open for preselection again.

"I would be lying to you if I said I hadn't had a lot of people contact me about it," Cr Jordan said. "But I know what it takes to win this seat and it would be a huge commitment, so it's something I will talk about with my family first. My answer is I haven't made a decision yet."

Chief among the obstacles to Cr Jordan nominating are his family – he has a young daughter – and his work commitments. He took long service leave to run in 2015, and would likely have to take unpaid leave to run again. 

Cr Jordan was involved in a nasty preselection fight with fellow Liberal Jaimie Abbott before the election in 2015, and while he would be sure to enjoy the support of some within the branches, it is likely he would again have to overcome opposition from parts of the Port Stephens branch, where Ms Abbott controls the numbers.

Meanwhile, federal MPs and candidates contesting the federal election have nominated the troubled NBN rollout, Williamtown contamination controversy and the need for a plan to assist mining towns to diversify their economies as touchstone regional issues for the upcoming poll. 

Much-needed infrastructure projects that could be in line for election funding commitments include the Raymond Terrace to M1 extension, Glendale transport interchange and the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses on the New England Highway. 

Paterson Labor candidate Meryl Swanson believed the Williamtown issue would be high on the minds of voters disappointed by the government’s response. 

“It’s not just an issue for those who live there and are affected by the contamination, I think everyone in the Hunter feels for these people and the way they have been treated reflects very poorly on the government,” she said. 

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said economic diversification for mining communities would be a strong regional issue as well as big-picture priorities such as health and education. Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Charlton MP Pat Conroy predicted strong campaigning around services, particularly schools funding and the undermining of Medicare and the public health system.