IT'S an old political story, but the Hunter Region is often perceived as suffering from a much-disputed condition known as the "safe seat syndrome".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Prior to 2016, the region had five federal seats, but a redistribution saw the electorate of Charlton abolished, bringing us back to four.
In recent history, only one Hunter electorate - Paterson, held by Labor's Meryl Swanson - has swung between the major parties.
IN THE NEWS:
- Hunter New England COVID-19 infections surge past 2700 to top NSW case numbers
- Sydney Harbour Bridge protest: Hunter firefighter 'Alan' among activists halting traffic
- New Maitland Hospital understaffed as pressure builds on emergency department
- Air race 2022: Lake Macquarie locks in $8 million drawcard for November
Newcastle, held by Sharon Claydon with a margin of 13.8 per cent, is rock-solid Labor. Shortland, held by Pat Conroy, is also considered safe, but his margin of 4.4 per cent is actually narrower than the 5 per cent cushion enjoyed by Ms Swanson in Paterson.
The fourth seat, Hunter, was also safe Labor until 2019, when party elder Joel Fitzgibbon had his margin shaved to 2.98 per cent.
With Mr Fitzgibbon retired, Labor must defend the seat with an untried candidate in Dan Repacholi. Coalminer Stuart Bonds, who came a close third for One Nation to the National's candidate in 2019, is standing this time as an Independent, and may again play a spoiling role.
All of this is to say that Labor and the Coalition are already going hammer and tongs in Paterson and Hunter.
Today, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is expected to announce $55 million in funding to upgrade Newcastle Airport's terminal buildings, and a similar amount for congestion-easing roadworks at Morisset.
Opposition leader Antony Albanese, meanwhile, is scheduled to be in Cessnock to announce the first of 50 Medicare "urgent care clinics" Labor is promising to build in a four-year, $135-million program.
The winner-takes-all nature of politics means governments of all persuasions tend to time their funding announcements to maximise their proximity to elections.
A sizeable cheque can overcome a lot of voter resistance, but it would not surprise if a long line of controversies over the politicisation of funding programs, the non-delivery of promises, and the re-badging of old ideas dressed up as new ones, has made Australian voters somewhat wary of politicians bearing gifts.
The electorate will have plenty of chances to weigh the merits of a swag of competing promises as the calendar moves inexorably toward May 21.
ISSUE: 39,846
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News