The coalminer's daughter who was born in Kurri Kurri, grew up in Heddon Greta and works out of an office in Raymond Terrace is determined to hold on to the seat at the May 21 federal election by continually working hard for the Port Stephens community.

With just a 5 per cent margin over her Liberal contender, solicitor Brooke Vitnell, Mrs Swanson is expecting a very tight election and says she would not be taking anything for granted.

"I am in the fight of my life. I have been working really hard for my community for six years now and I feel privileged to have been able to represent my electorate. I hope that I have shown through my actions that that I am worthy of the position and worthy of the people's vote [for a third term]."

Mrs Swanson said that the high cost of living coupled with stagnant wages had been high on the agenda of constituents while campaigning in the electorate, which comprises large chunks of Port Stephens and Maitland LGAs.

"People are feeling the squeeze and they are well aware of the rising cost of food, vegetables, petrol ... some of the necessities of life have become so expensive while wages have stalled," she said.

"While we have good jobs figures, I also know there are pockets of young people who cannot find work because of a lack of transport issues. At the same time businesses need workers which comes back to training. The Labor Party will invest in more apprenticeships by revitalising TAFE."

She said that healthcare, particularly in Port Stephens, was a high priority.

"There is a shortage of doctors here, we've had trouble recruiting doctors to our region, and I led the push on this issue nationally. If Labor is elected, we will make all of Port Stephens a distribution priority area to attract doctors from other parts of Australia."

On aged care, Mrs Swanson said that "we must do better".

"We need RNs in all facilities, better staffing levels, more pay, training and better nutrition," she said.

Mrs Swanson, who become known around the corridors of parliament house as 'the voice for red zone residents', said that the party would be making an announcement at a later date on issues such as telecommunications (most notably mobile phone coverage) and the Williamtown PFAS.

"We will give people a way to voice their concerns."

Mrs Swanson, who is currently the shadow assistant minister for defence, anticipates retaining the ministry role for at least three months if Labor wins the election on Saturday, May 21.

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