A boundary redistribution four years ago in the federal seat of Paterson has done the Liberal party, and possibly the electorate, few favours.
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Labor's Bob Horne and Liberal landmark Bob Baldwin traded the seat twice in the 1990s, but Mr Baldwin's retirement and the redistribution handed Labor's Meryl Swanson a 10.5 per cent swing in 2016, the third largest in the country.
Paterson has provided the only controversy of the 2019 campaign in the Hunter.
Liberal contender and GP business coach Sachin Joshi found himself in the headlines after writing on LinkedIn in 2018 that the gender pay gap among doctors was due to the "active interest (or lack of it) towards business skills/responsibilities".
"This warrants further research into why women (doctors) are less active/interested in pursuing business skills?" he wrote.
"In my interaction with many female doctors, I have observed that they put lesser priority on understanding money matters, dealing with staff issues, managing commercial aspects and other business-related 'stuff'."
Ms Swanson was then forced to beat off claims she was ineligible to sit in Parliament because a company she co-owns with her husband has an arrangement in place to repay a debt to the tax office.
Paterson's Williamtown RAAF Base is centre stage in the complex national debate over how to deal with the effects of PFAS contamination, an issue neither major party has addressed with a clear, long-term strategy.
Here is each candidate's election platform, in their own words and in ballot order.
Sachin Joshi
Liberal
Work: Small business owner, educator
Age: 49
Why I'm running: We live in the best country in the world. I am running to help preserve, protect and pass on a stronger Australia to future Australians and to create even better settings for our wonderful Paterson community. Our secure future depends on a strong economy which can guarantee jobs and deliver essential services like health, education and vital infrastructure.
Priorities: Improving mental health in Paterson under the Morrison government's $503.1 million youth mental health and suicide prevention plan is one of my top priorities, as is busting congestion. We are investing in the M1 extension as well as assisting local councils through our Roads to Recovery program, which helps fund repairs and upgrades to local roads. We will back 13,200 small businesses in Paterson through various tax incentives to ensure they create more local jobs.
Neil Turner
Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Work: Fitter/machinist
Age: 61
Why I'm running: We have lost our way. Innovation should be a key focus. Renewable subsidies have driven up the cost of electricity, which has impacted on our manufacturing industries and household consumers. H.E.L.E. coal-fired power stations can power an expanded electric and high-speed rail network and reliably charge electric vehicles. Innovation needs to be driven by government, A standard replacement fully charged battery that can be quickly changed at service stations might solve problems. A hybrid Bradfield scheme where water from high rainfall areas can be directed to dry areas for farming. If elected I will strive for a more prosperous community.
Priorities: Implement a generous buy-back in the PFAS-affected zone. A youth apprenticeship and training scheme to get more unemployed into the workforce. Infrastructure spending before areas are overdeveloped, creating transport problems. Restore federal funding to councils so extra rate rises are unnecessary.
Meryl Swanson
Labor
Work: Paterson MP
Age: 48
Why I'm running: For the past three years, I have represented and served my community passionately and effectively. I lobbied the government for international flights at Newcastle airport; I've spoken in Parliament about local issues like infrastructure and PFAS contamination; and I've had contact with 60 per cent of the electorate. I understand how important investment in infrastructure, health and education is for our region. My track record shows I'm the best person to get it done as a member of a Labor government.
Priorities: The cost of living is going up, but wages are not. Our roads are not keeping up with our population growth, and we need investment in things like the M1 extension to cope. Hospital waiting times are through the roof, as is the cost to see a doctor. The NBN is broken, and the NDIS is dramatically underfunded and understaffed. Communities affected by PFAS contamination are sick of being ignored. These are the things I prioritised in my first term and will continue to do so under a Shorten Labor government.
Graham Burston
United Australia Party
Work: Business owner
Age: 71
Why I'm running: To give the electorate an alternative to the tired old duopoly of the Coalition and Labor. Labor hasn't represented the constituents affected by the PFAS contamination. The local member says she supports those affected yet voted against voluntary buy-backs. Labor and Liberal promised to raise Testers Hollow before the last election, but nothing has been done. They don't fight for you; they fight with each other.
Priorities: To implement the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into PFAS, which will give those affected a choice as to whether to leave or stay. The overpass next to Maitland railway station solved the congestion in one direction but exacerbated it for traffic travelling west. I'll seek funding to fix the problem.
Jan Davis
Greens
Retired health worker
Age: 70
Why I'm running: As a founding member of Maitland Greens I feel a responsibility to help heal the planet from the effects of runaway climate change. I know that if we start the changes needed to increase renewable energy to 100 per cent by 2030 we will have a good chance.
Priorities: Greens priorities include action on climate change as a No.1 as well as looking after vulnerable people better, especially women at risk of domestic violence and people with a disability. Building public housing to ensure homelessness and the effects of poverty are reversed is a must. Building a climate-proof rail link through the Lower Hunter to link Glendale, Kurri Kurri, Maitland and the North Coast will benefit passengers as well as freight from the proposed Newcastle port container terminal. Iconic koala habitat must be preserved here in Paterson. Biodiversity is struggling in many areas. The Greens will take action to reverse this.
Chris Vale
Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
Work: Company director
Age: 73
Priorities: Zero tolerance for domestic violence and safe housing for impacted parties. Zero tolerance for child pornography and harsher penalties for people involved in child pornography and child sexual assault cases. One law for all Australians. No Sharia law and no Sharia courts. Put Australian culture first. Freedom of religion and Christian schools must be able to continue to support Christianity. I am pro-life. No abortion, no euthanasia and legal protection for the child throughout all stages of pregnancy, including up to birth. Opposed to the taking of a human life. Support for freedom of speech, supporting people like Israel Folau and Margaret Court so they can freely express their views. My priority will always support the living of a safe and wholesome life.