1 week Ago By Chloe Coleman, Josh Leeson, Madeline Link
The political candidates for the region's four federal seats have been finalised and their position on the ballot paper has been determined by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Login or signup to continue reading The AEC held events across the region that involved a blindfold and numbered balls in what is effectively a double-randomised 'bingo' system to decide the ballot paper orders for Newcastle, Shortland, Hunter and Paterson. The seat of Paterson is expected to be hotly contested in a three-way battle between Labor, the Liberals and Maitland mayor Philip Penfold .
Incumbent Labor MP Meryl Swanson, who led the charge in spinning the lottery, drew the second spot on the ballot of 10 candidates. "That's the best ballot draw position I've ever had," she said. YouGov polling conducted before Cr Penfold announced he would stand as an independent predicted the seat of Paterson would flip, with 54 per cent of voters expected to back the Liberals.
The modelling also predicted Labor would lose the heartland seats of Hunter and Shortland, held by Dan Repacholi and Pat Conroy. Liberal candidate Laurence Antcliff drew sixth and said he is feeling "energised" and excited heading into the election. "People across Maitland and Port Stephens have had an absolute gutful of this Labor government," he said.
"We've had almost a decade of neglect in our region, and we need things done now." Independent Cr Penfold, who will continue to serve as mayor if elected, drew fourth place. He said regardless of his position, he felt people in the electorate were "smart enough to make their own choices".
"People are clearly a bit fed up with their limited choices ...
I think Ms Swanson, after nine years and from community feedback, is perhaps at the end of her service," he said. Other candidates include Rod Holding (independent), Arnon Wither (One Nation), Paul Johns (the Greens), Sandra Lyn Briggs (Family First Party), April Maree Scott (independent), Peter N Arena (Trumpet of Patriots) and Daniel Dryden (Legalise Cannabis Party). Paterson ballot draw: One Nation candidate Stuart Bonds has drawn the top spot on the Hunter ballot paper.
Five of Hunter's nine candidates attended the ballot draw at the East Maitland Australian Electoral Commission office. Nationals candidate Sue Gilroy scored the second spot, while incumbent Labor MP Dan Repacholi, who holds the seat with a 4.8 per cent margin, landed towards the bottom at eighth.
Mr Repacholi said he's not concerned with his position on the ballot. "It is what it is," he said. "At the end of the day, I worked hard so we'll just see if people will vote for me at the end of the day again.
"If you look at other ballot draws throughout the history of having elections, it doesn't really matter where you end up because most people do know how they want to vote, most people don't donkey vote." Other candidates contesting the seat include Kyle Boddan (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers), Suellen Wrightson (Trumpet of Patriots) and Louise Stokes (the Greens). Rounding out the race of nine are Andrew Fenwick (Legalise Cannabis Australia), Victoria Davies (Animal Justice Party) and Paul Farrelly (Family First Party).
Hunter ballot draw: Liberal candidate Emma King said she's been encouraged by the reception from voters in Shortland but admits it is "an uphill battle" to usurp Labor's Pat Conroy. Ms King drew number six from seven candidates in the Shortland ballot draw. Libertarian Geoffrey Mark Robertson drew the top spot, followed by Charlestown cafe owner and independent James Pheils and Mr Conroy.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Barry Reed, who drew 2.68 per cent of the vote in 2022 with the Liberal Democrats is standing for One Nation. Charity operations manager Pietro Di Girolamo is standing for Family First, and ex-City of Newcastle councillor Therese Doyle is representing the Greens.
The contest will almost certainly come down to Mr Conroy and Ms King. Mr Conroy was elected to the former seat of Charlton in 2013 and has boosted his profile over the past three years serving as Minister for the Pacific and Defence Industry Minister. Mr Conroy holds Shortland by a margin of almost six per cent.
Ms King, a young mother and Orica mining and manufacturing executive, is a fresh face for the Liberals. "It's my first rodeo," she said. "I'm feeling buoyed by people in the community, but definitely it's an uphill battle.
" Ms King said the cost of living was the biggest issue she was hearing from constituents, and believed the Liberals pledge to cut fuel excise by 25 cents per litre for 12 months was gaining traction with tradespeople. Mr Conroy cited his delivery of $10 million for the Lake Macquarie grouting fund and $10 million for the long-term dredging of the Swansea Channel as achievements of his past term. "These are all investments guided by Lake Macquarie City Council, and I've got a strong track record of working with the council and what matters to them, rather than popping up at election time with promises that can never be fulfilled," he said.
Shortland ballot draw: Newcastle is Labor's safest seat, with four-term MP Sharon Claydon sitting on a comfortable 17.9 per cent margin. Ms Claydon drew fifth position on the ballot.
Greens candidate and councillor Charlotte McCabe is running for the seat again after a strong showing in 2022 and landed the third spot, who will be followed by Liberals candidate Asarri McPhee . Other candidates include Jennifer Stefanac (Trumpet of Patriots), Steve O'Brien (Socialist Alliance), Jason Briggs (Family First Party), Robert Creech (Socialist Equality Party) and Phillip Heyne (One Nation). Newcastle ballot draw: Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter.
Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter. Josh Leeson is a news and features journalist, who focuses on Lake Macquarie, politics and entertainment at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport, including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is a news and features journalist, who focuses on Lake Macquarie, politics and entertainment at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport, including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016.
She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council.
To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email [email protected].
au. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist.
In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.
[email protected].
Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Weekdays Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
Weekdays Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Weekly Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Weekly Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.
Weekly Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Weekly The latest news, results & expert analysis. Weekly Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update.
Weekly Get the latest property and development news here. Weekly Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Weekdays Sharp.
Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.
Twice weekly Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Twice weekly Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Weekly Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.
As it happens Be the first to know when news breaks. Daily Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Daily Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia.
Fresh daily!.
