Upper Hunter by-election: Candidates make their last pitch to voters
Don’t know who to vote for in the Upper Hunter by-election this weekend? Check out our easy to read guide on what each stands for.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The highly anticipated Upper Hunter by-election is here, with candidates scrambling to ensure voters know what they stand for.
For residents who haven’t already pre-polled, and still don’t know who their vote will go to, The Newcastle News has put together an easy guide to know what each candidate stands for.
Why you should vote for them, what their top priorities are and whether they will preference any other candidates.
Here’s a pitch from each candidate:
Dave Layzell - Nationals
“I’ve been privileged to meet a lot of great people over the past six weeks, and it has been humbling to see the support being offered for the NSW Government by the community. As I’ve travelled around the region, I’ve listened to locals and asked them what they think a safer, stronger future looks like, and I would be honoured to be their representative in Parliament as we rebuild our economy and deliver the roads, hospitals, bypasses and job opportunities the Upper Hunter deserves.
“If elected, I will be part of a sensible, stable government that has kept our state on track over the past 12 months with the ability to deliver on the commitments I‘ve made. I have a plan to deliver a safer, stronger future for the Upper Hunter, and will be able to make it happen.”
Priorities
1. Fixing local roads
2. Protecting local jobs from inner-city activists
3. Delivering a safer, stronger Upper Hunter with the NSW Government
Jeff Drayton - Labor
“I will fight for the Upper Hunter’s fair share and I will deliver it. The Nationals have had 90 years to represent our communities and they have taken us for granted. They have sat back and twiddled their thumbs while our communities send rivers of gold to Sydney, but get little in return. It has taken a crucial by-election to embarrass them into noticing we need services and infrastructure.
“I was born in the Upper Hunter, I’ve raised my family here and I’ve worked in our key industries. I’m committed to a strong and prosperous future for our region, where no-one is left behind and I have the experience and fighting spirit to deliver it. I’m asking you to give me a chance to fight for our fair share.”
Priorities
1. Fair share of mining royalties
2. Secure jobs: I will fight for jobs and investment in key industries.
3. Our kids getting left behind: fewer than one-third of at-risk kids see a caseworker; our schools don’t have enough classrooms and our TAFE campuses are being sold off and underfunded.
Sue Gilroy - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF)
“The past five weeks opened the eyes of many in the Upper Hunter, including mine. The major parties somersault and backflips on coal will be unforgettable. Until recently, they were planning on how to phase out the industry, out doing each other for inner city votes at the expense of regional prosperity. But I am confident the people of Upper Hunter are no fools. They won’t forget.
“While the Government have tried to bribe the community, as if they are forking out their own money and not taxpayers, they’ve ignored this region for over 90 years. What will change if we keep electing them? Nothing. They need to learn a lesson and be sent a message. Our vote cannot be taken for granted anymore. Not on coal. Not on farming. No on roads and hospitals. On nothing.
“I’m proud to have stayed true to my word, and I am proud of my party. The Shooters Fishers and Farmers have not had to alter their policies to retro fit the needs of the Upper Hunter.
“We’ve got hospitals that don’t have the equipment, facilities or staff to deliver babies, we’ve got roads that are rated some of the worst in the country, we’ve got miners being short changed and we’ve got the major parties threatening to shut down mines and switch to renewables in turn costing tens of thousands of people and families their jobs whilst increasing the cost of electricity.
“These issues are real, so much so that after meeting with these groups and publicising the above issues, the government has ‘promised’ to fund each of these issues. Issues that they’ve ignored and have allowed to grow for decades whilst they held the seat of the Upper Hunter.
“I’ll keep coal jobs alive and growing and hold the government accountable to their promises and ensure that each and every one of these funds are in the promised pockets of the community.”
Priorities
1. Keep coal miners and coal mining secure from unjust transitions and ensure longevity of the industry
2. Invest in the local economy through infrastructure of roads, emergency services and local businesses and industries
3. Hold the government accountable to ensure a fair share with regards to mining royalties returning back to the region as well as funding promises being paid to our communities.
Preferences
Dale McNamara (One Nation), Eva Pears (LDP)
Steven Reynolds - Independent
“We need to send someone who is willing to make things happen, and not the lips service we so often see, and that vote is me. We’ve heard everything from roads, more mining royalties, the health system etc. from all candidates. What I offer is not a seat filler and someone who will go with the grain, but will fight and be accountable to the communities and regularly engaging them.
“I support those that support me and the little voices are as important as the loudest voice. Vote 1 for me knowing you’re sending someone to represent you without a hidden agenda.”
Priorities
1. Roads
2. Finalising the land division so as miners/farmers have certainty moving forward.
3. Health sector, enticing more doctors to our rural communities. And water!
Tracy Norman - Independent
“Vote for me because I know how to deliver for my community. Before I was elected Mayor, the Dungog Shire was in a dreadful state financially. We were declared “unfit for the future” and there were calls to put us into administration.”
“Under the two and a half years of my leadership, Council turned itself around. Right now there is around $50 million of work happening on the ground in Dungog. I chased down old election promises and negotiated with both levels of government to resolve some seemingly wicked problems.”
“Vote for me and watch me replicate this across the entire electorate.”
Priorities
1. A just transition plan to future proof jobs and businesses in the Upper Hunter
2. Funding people not just buildings and infrastructure
3. The provision of mental health facilities and services
Preferences
Kirsty O’Connell (independent), Labor Party
Kate Fraser - Independent
“The Upper Hunter deserves better. For too long this electorate has been forgotten by the major parties.
“By voting for Kate Fraser, an Independent, you will have a true representative of the people that will listen to your issues and I will advocate to get the best outcome for this electorate.”
Priorities
1. Infrastructure (roads)
2. Public Transport
3. Communication
We can build on these basics to attract people and business to the area.
Archie Lea - Independent
“Here to serve God and the people of the Upper Hunter in Jesus Christ name.
Will go in to bat for more clean coal mining industry and gas industry in the Upper Hunter and advocate for jobs, and safer roads for the people of the Upper Hunter.
“I was bought Up to be Fair-dinkum and to be honest to the people of the Upper Hunter in Jesus Christ Name.”
Priorities
1. Clean energy
2. Jobs
3. Safer roads
Calum Blair - Sustainable Australia Party
“Sustainable Australia Party is not like the major parties. We are an independent community movement from the political centre that supports a science and evidence-based approach to policy - not a left or right wing ideology.
“Of all 13 candidates, I am the only candidate who stood for the seat of Upper Hunter two years ago at the state election, and intend to be back again in two years’ time for the March 2023 state election.
“I understand the need to balance and respect the needs of all communities in the Hunter Valley, including small business, farming and mining. I work in the rail industry as a construction manager in the Upper Hunter and NSW, so am passionate about local jobs and the need for a more diverse economy, including a strong manufacturing base.”
Priorities
1. Introduce a combined state and federally-funded environmental job guarantee for all workers transitioning out of the coal industry. (Projects: rehabilitation of abandoned mines, humane eradication programs for high risk feral species and conservation land management programs)
2. Build NSW trains in the Hunter Valley
3. Improve the Upper Hunter's air quality
Sue Abbott - Greens
“Vote 1 Sue Abbott for climate protection and a speedy transition to 100% renewables, protection for air, land, water, and penalties for polluters.
“Also community and proper public investment into public hospitals, public schools, public TAFEs, public transport, public housing, and good sustainable jobs across all sectors of the Upper Hunter. And integrity, to stop the rorts, to provide proper funding and resources for the NSW ICAC, and to advocate for a federal ICAC.”
Priorities
1. Protecting children and nature. With climate change wreaking havoc across the world, our children’s fate is bleak, and biodiversity is plummeting. Children do not have the vote but so much is decided (or not decided) which will significantly impact their lives and futures. It’s not right coal mines are protected at our children’s expense
2. An urgent and just ‘transition’ to 100% renewables
3. Elimination of our emissions in an emergency capacity.
Preferences
Tracey Norman (Independent) and Kirsty O‘Connell (Independent)
Dale McNamara - One Nation
“Each year the Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs contribute over $1.1 billion in coal mining royalties to the NSW Budget, but get back less than 10 per cent in transport projects.
That’s short-changing the Upper Hunter by $1 billion in government funding. The Nationals have held this seat for 90 years and neglected it dreadfully.
“Dale McNamara wants a fair share for the Upper Hunter. If elected, he will fight on the floor of NSW Parliament for our extra $1 billion in funding each year and use it for important local services, facilities, and infrastructure.
Last November the Nationals, Liberals, Labor, and the Greens on NSW Parliament voted 60 times in favour of 100 per cent renewables (wind turbines and solar). How many jobs will be lost when they close down all our mines?
“One Nation voted 60 times in favour of coal and the tens of thousands of jobs it provides in the Upper Hunter. One Nation is the only party to pledge $200 million towards the construction of a new clean coal-fired power station (“Bayswater 2”) to guarantee our energy security and lower electricity prices.
“Only One Nation stands against the ineffective wind turbines that desecrate the rural landscape. Only One Nation has pledged to stop the destruction of prime agricultural land by the powerlines for Matt Kean’s ‘Green Dreams’.”
Priorities
1. The return of $1 billion in coal mining royalties
2. Construction of “Bayswater 2” clean coal-fired power station
3. Fast tracking the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses
Preferences
Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers, Liberal Democratic Party
Eva Pears - Liberal Democratic Party
“There has been no doubt that the last twelve months have been tough. However, the Berejiklian/Barilaro Government has made it harder economically in this region through business destroying lockdowns and
restrictions. While most cases were restricted to urban centres, our families and businesses here in the regions had to suffer.
“The catalyst for these lockdowns was the Ruby Princess debacle where NSW Health failed to properly quarantine infected passengers on the docked cruise ship. In the midst of the crisis, it was discovered the Berejiklian Government was engaged in serious rorts around council grants. This isn‘t good enough.
“There is no doubt that both the Liberal/National Coalition and the Labor/Greens Alliance seek to end mining jobs in the region. Matt Kean, the NSW energy Minister, wants to have net zero emissions by 2030. That
means the mining jobs, and the local industries they support will be decimated. This sort of economic reset is not viable in an area where large portions of the working population rely on the industry.”
Priorities
1. Hold an independent inquiry into the Ruby Princess debacle to
determine who is at fault for locking down the regions.
2. Hold an independent inquiry into council grant rorts.
3. Introduce a Bill to completely abolish stamp duty on property and a Bill to abolish payroll tax.
Preferences
One Nation, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.
Michael Dello-iacovo - Animal Justice Party
“The Animal Justice Party is a party of compassion and concern for animals, the environment, and people. We know that the voters of Upper Hunter support modern animal protection laws that prohibit the cruel treatment of animals such as hens confined in battery cages.
“A vote for the AJP will send a strong message to the Berejiklian Government that NSW must join Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia in banning puppy farms, or risk becoming the puppy farm capital of Australia. The horse racing industry is a major part of the local economy, so all the more reason for voters to join the AJP in demanding that horses not be subjected to cruelties such as whips, spurs and tongue-ties.
“We will take urgent action to address climate change by protecting our existing native forests and marine habitats, setting a renewable energy target and investigating and introducing more sustainable agricultural systems.”
Priorities
1. Animals
2. Environment
3. Climate change
Kirsty O’Connell is also running as an Independent. She did not respond to questions.
Killer motorist has parole revoked after latest driving charge
A woman who was jailed over the death of a female pedestrian has found herself back behind bars despite being granted bail by the courts after authorities revoked her parole following a fresh driving charge.
The prank call that led police to an online child abuser
It was a shock discovery that came to light because of a prank call - a Newcastle man caught with child abuse material and procuring underage girls for sex on Snapchat.