Federal Election 2025: Newcastle, Shortland candidates and what they stand for
With the federal election set we profile the candidates vying for seats in the Newcastle and Shortland electorates, why they are running and most importantly – what they stand for.
Newcastle
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The federal election is set for May 3 as candidates scramble to make their names and values known to voters.
It has been a Labor stronghold for the seats of Shortland and Newcastle, which are the two out of five seats up for grabs in the Hunter Region.
Here’s some vital information you need to know before heading to the booths.
NEWCASTLE
Sharon Claydon - ALP - current Federal MP for Newcastle
Going for her fourth term as Newcastle MP, Ms Claydon is also the third woman to hold the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives since the Federation of Australia in 1901.
She is committed to social justice and improving the lives of working people and is passionate about fighting discrimination and ensuring we leave a better world for the next generation.
Asarri McPhee - Liberal
The blue-collar worker was born and raised in Newcastle and runs a small construction business, as well as working as a part-time TAFE teacher.
A family man, Mr McPhee’s hobby is retraining thoroughbred horses into showjumpers and coaching at the local pony club.
Your election commitments?
“Families in Newcastle are at breaking point with the rapidly increasing cost of living,” he said.
“We’ll ease everyday costs with policies like halving fuel excise for 12 months.
“As a small businessman, I’m very aware of the challenges facing entrepreneurs.
“A Liberal government will back our small businesses, including making permanent a $30,000 asset write-off.”
Why are you running?
Mr McPhee aims to give local families a better future and to be a strong advocate for the city.
“Too many are doing it tough under Labor,” Mr McPhee said.
“A Dutton Liberal Government will support aspirational families with policies like our first-home buyer mortgage deductibility scheme, which will make interest payments tax deductible up to $650,000.”
Charlotte McCabe - Greens
Serving her second term as a Newcastle councillor, Ms Mccabe is a primary school teacher and environmental educator.
For the last three decades she has been actively involved in social and environmental justice campaigns across the country and has worked as a community organiser – with a passion for building strong, empowered communities for change.
Ms McCabe has been a spokesperson for her community on climate related issues including coal dust, ammonium nitrate storage, coal port diversification and offshore gas.
She has also been an outspoken advocate against the Supercars race in Newcastle’s East End, and actively campaigned for nearly ten years against the PEP11 offshore gas proposal.
Your election commitments?
To cap rents and regulate the banks to ensure lower mortgages will deliver real change for the community as will brining mental health and dental into Medicare, wiping student debt and introducing 50 cent public transport.
Why are you running?
“Newcastle is the safest Labor seat in the country and I’m regularly hearing people say that people feel this means that Newcastle is being ignored,” she said.
“I think the Greens are the party that are working hard to turn this around.
“The Newcastle Greens have undertaken their biggest campaign ever and we’ve knocked on over 4,000 doors.
“Overwhelmingly I’m hearing that our community is sick of the major parties and looking for alternatives.”
Jason Briggs - Family First
From a working-class family, the father-of-two has lived in Newcastle all his life. He was a former member of the Australian Army for over twenty years and has a background in security and protection operations for big industries, ports, private enterprise and government. He was also a former member of the NSW Police Force for 16 years before partnering with his wife Sandra in their efficiency consultancy business in 2021.
Your election commitments?
Defending and protecting children, including unborn children, the elderly, women and parents, from harmful and extreme left-wing ideologies.
He wants to lower the cost of living, secure energy and promote economic growth with greater economic diversity.
Mr Briggs wants an education system that focuses on building children intellectually and developing productive and constructive minds instead of debasing the minds of children with social Marxist indoctrination and propaganda.
He’s passionate about the urgent need for the protection of free speech and religious freedom which he regards as significant pillars of freedom and democracy.
Why are you running?
Mr Briggs knows and understands first-hand that traditional Australian Judeo-Christian values, freedom of speech, law and order, religious freedom, reliable energy and smaller government with responsible financial and economic management are imperative requirements for the safety, security, prosperity and freedom of every Australian family which creates the means to provide for the most vulnerable people in our society.
Steve O’Brien - Socialist Alliance
TAFE worker, sociologist and librarian, Mr O’Brien has also worked extensively in international development.
“While socialists are totally opposed to the NSW Coalition government, history also shows us that the Labor Party machine will put its interests before those of our region unless local voices force it to do otherwise,” he said.
Robert Creech - Socialist Equity Party
The Newcastle traffic surveyor has lived in the Hunter Valley his whole life.
Mr Creech believes the region has been decimated by the destruction of the Australian manufacturing and mining industries, leading to social crises confronting growing numbers of working-class families and youth.
Phillip Heyne - One Nation
Born and raised in Newcastle, Mr Heyne is a seasoned reliability engineer with over four decades of experience.
He brings deep knowledge, strong ethics, and a fierce commitment to rebuilding Australia from the ground up and believes it’s time for a serious course correction, and says One Nation is the only party with the policies and political will to make that happen. He would also love time to re-build his old classic Range Rovers.
What are your election platforms?
“One Nation policies make sense, and are eminently do-able,” he said.
“Focus is on reducing the cost of living immediately, and ongoing into the future. We have the policies, desire and candidates to do this.”
Why are you running?
He believes the Australia of today is very different from the one he grew up in, where everyone could work hard in meaningful jobs and soon own their own homes; where being an Australian meant helping out your mates and getting a fair go.
“A succession of Liberal / National and Labor / Green Governments have ensured that is no longer the case,” he said.
“The political parties we grew up with are not the parties of today, they have all been taken over, along with their beliefs, by political leaders with agendas which have led us to our current position, subservient to any number of big government sponsored special interest groups.
“I want my grandchildren to have hope.”
Jennifer Stefanac - Trumpet of Patriots
Ms Stefanac brings over two decades of frontline experience in child protection, Aboriginal education and small business to her campaign. Her career spans roles as an Aboriginal Caseworker with the Department of Human Services, to establishing Blackseed Catering & Cafe—a bush tucker mobile food business that celebrates Indigenous culture and enterprise.
SHORTLAND
Pat Conroy - ALP - current Federal Member for Shortland
“Like a lot of kids, I was born with a speech impediment and thanks to the introduction of Medicare in 1984, I was able to see a speech therapist, changing my life forever,” the dad of two said.
He went on to have a successful education at his local public school on the Central Coast.
He was first elected to parliament in 2013 and is now serving in Cabinet as Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery as well as the Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
Your election commitments?
He understands that cost of living is the number one issue facing our local community and wants local families to have access to the services they need.
“That’s why I have always fought for better health and education,” he said.
“I saved the Hunter’s GP Access After Hours service, restoring the funding cut by the Liberals.
“I also delivered two new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Charlestown and Lake Haven.
Why are you continuing to run?
“Having a strong voice for our local area at the Cabinet table ensures we receive our fair share,” he said.
Dr Barry Reed - One Nation
Living in Lake Macquarie for over three decades, Dr Reed is a practising oral and maxillofacial surgeon and air force reserve officer who wants “real change” and the right leaders who are determined to take a smarter approach.
Your election commitments?
Billions back in voter pockets with common sense policies for the living costs crisis. Ensuring relief for the cost of living crisis for ordinary people starting right now with household bills, rental costs and home mortgages.
Addressing the housing crisis by restoring the Australian dream of home ownership with our superannuation loan offset scheme.
“Slashing household & business electricity bills by 20 per cent immediately to prioritise cheaper consumer prices first by enabling and incentivising cheaper coal and gas-fired baseload power,” he said.
“For our young people, helping them get ahead, by pressuring rental prices and house prices downward, banning foreign non-residents buying Australian homes.
“Allowing our pensioners to work without any tax penalties, without losing any benefits.”
Why are you running?
“I bring a wealth of experience, education, and a passion for creating meaningful change,” Dr Reed said.
“I am a committed advocate for everyday Australians, and I am determined to deliver policies that put people first and restore effective government policy outcomes.”
Theresa Doyle - Greens
The former science teacher and professional development officer has always been interested in politics, notably social and environmental justice as well as political integrity. Ms Doyle has been a former councillor for Concord City in Sydney before moving to Lake Macquarie with her family of four in 2002 and also being elected as a Newcastle councillor.
Your election commitments?
Action on climate change and saying no to new coal and gas projects, with a staged closure over time for existing projects.
Update nature laws to protect important habitats and endangered species.
Wipe HECS debt and make University and TAFE free and provide quality, public, free early childcare and school
education.
Establish a housing authority to build energy efficient, climate-resilient housing to be sold at cost, or rented cheaply.
Freeze and cap rent increases, and establish a rental authority to protect and enforce renters’ rights.
Greater support for Medicare with free access to dental and mental healthcare; and more access to GPs, health workers, bulk billing and free clinics.
Why are you running?
“There needs to be a decisive shift in federal government priorities away from privileged private interests towards urgently needed public services,” she said.
“Australians need equal access to free, high-quality public education, health and housing.
“The Greens will work for peace and diplomacy, and save billions.”
Emma King - Liberal
The mum of two has worked for 15 years in mining and heavy industry.
She is passionate about fitness and getting outdoors as a family, whether it’s at the beach or exploring the beautiful walking tracks around Shortland.
Your election commitments?
“My focus is on delivering real cost of living relief, supporting small businesses and jobs, strengthening Medicare, and backing a balanced energy mix to help bring prices down,” she said.
“Labor have let so many people down in the Hunter.
“I’ll be a strong, local advocate for Shortland, campaigning for increased investment for better facilities and enhanced infrastructure.”
Why are you running?
“As a mum, it’s heartbreaking to see how many families are struggling in Shortland with rising household bills and inflation that is completely out of control,”Ms King added.
“I am running to deliver a better, brighter future for our kids.
“We can’t afford three more years of Labor. I want to be part of the Liberal Team in Canberra which will deliver real cost-of-living relief with a 50 per cent fuel excise cut, lower energy costs and tax deductible mortgages for first-time buyers.”
James Pheils – Independent
He’s raised his family and built his small businesses in the electorate, including Mama-P Wholefoods in Charlestown.
The former Army Reserve Officer, business systems specialist, and Vice President of Newcastle Toastmasters is also passionate about warhammer, mountain biking, surfing, and playing golf with his kids outside of work.
Your election commitments?
“I’m running on a platform of independent, honest representation, tax reform, small business support, and real government transparency,” he said.
“I’m here to put the tough conversations back on the table, not just sugar-hit policies that win headlines but fail Australians in the long run.
Key Issues are: Tax Reform; end capital gains distortions, negative gearing abuse, Airbnb loopholes, and multinational tax dodging. Housing; stabilise prices, curb migration until supply catches up, and direct super into housing projects. Infrastructure; build smarter. Energy; it’s time energy policy worked for us, not overseas profits.
Why are you running?
“The major parties are destroying the middle class and serving donors, not the people. Shortland has been held by Labor since 1949,” he added.
“If you want real change, vote for it.”
Pietro Di Girolamo - Family First
He has lived in Newcastle for 23 years, married for over three decades to his wife and raised three foster daughters and worked primarily in the community sector. Also enjoys playing golf and photography when he has the time.
Your election commitments?
Defending Faith, supporting faith based schools and parents choice.
Protecting Life, calling for abortion to birth legislation to be repealed.
Standing up for your family, end tax & child care subsidy discrimination.
Why are you running?
“It’s time to break up with the major parties of Labor/Liberal/Greens,” he said.
“There was time when the major parties stood up for the family but sadly these days, they’re all too ready to fall for the latest woke-left fashionable cause, leaving our families in the lurch.
“I am standing to raise a strong voice for your values.”
Geoffrey Robertson - Libertarian
Born in Narromine in rural NSW, he is passionate about primary production industries that are now under threat from the “imaginary threat of climate change”.
Mr Robertson’s education spans from Earth Sciences to Fine Arts and he has had a successful career in hospitality management in the education and aged care sectors.
“My knowledge and understanding of people’s needs make me well suited to provide the leadership and direction needed at this critical stage in Australia’s future direction,” he said.
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