THE federal seat of Hunter as its names implies covers a good deal of the Hunter Valley from Maitland in the east to Cassilis in the west, Murrurundi in the north and south to Wollombi.

The main towns include Branxton, Cessnock, Maitland Merriwa, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton and Kandos with the major industries being coal mining, agriculture including viticulture, horse stud, beef dairy and wool production plus power generation.

The seat of Hunter is currently held by Labor Party’s Joel Fitzgibbon who was elected in 1996 following in the footsteps of his father who held the seat from 1984-96.

Hunter’s first member was Australia’s inaugural Prime Minister Edmund Barton.  The local seat  has been held by a Labor Party candidate since 1910 and Mr Fitzgibbon is hoping to continue the Labor tradition when he recontests the seat in Saturday’s election.

The other candidates are Nationals Michael Johnsen, Christian Democratic Party Richard Stretton, Palmer United Party Jennifer Stefanac, Green’s David Atwell, Citizens Electoral Council Ann Lawler Citizens Electoral Council and  One Nation’s Bill Fox. 

Singleton residents should also note they not only have to vote on Saturday but they head back to the polls on Saturday, September 14, for the local government by-election.

DAVID ATWELL

The first and essential thing, if elected as your representative, will be to listen. I will not pretend for a second that I know all the needs of our region. 

This is an important requirement for your federal representative if they are to be your representative in Canberra.

Secondly will be the dire need to stop the coal dust. 

Whether it is caused by the hundreds of coal trains, or the mines themselves, action must take place in order to protect the health of our families and workers. 

The coal wagons must be covered whilst the mines have to keep the dust to an absolute minimum. I am prepared to table a private members bill in Parliament to ensure our lives are kept safe.

CSG is another issue which needs immediate attention. 

If the State Coalition Government is not prepared to ban CSG in our region again this issue will demand federal intervention, 50,000 jobs and $5 billion worth of investments can’t be lost. 

Likewise our land needs protection. 

If it thus requires Federal legislation, in order to achieve this, then a Hunter Valley Character Preservation Bill will be presented to the Federal Parliament.    

Again we must continue funding for transport infrastructure, health care, education, and job creation amongst other issues which matter.

 Only the Greens will truly fight for these things and more.    

MICHAEL JOHNSEN

The current local member has been unfaithful to the electorate. 

For too long, our concerns have been sidelined and our interests ignored as he was more interested in his own job in Canberra than ours here in Hunter.

First and foremost, I will not deliver an asylum seeker detention centre in Singleton and I will  not lie about the benefits of a great big tax on Carbon or Mining while our jobs are destroyed.

I will however deliver a strong voice for our community and will always put our concerns front and centre as part of a new Coalition government.

A strong Hunter voice will be crucial as the new government focusses on rebuilding the economy, creating jobs and delivering the infrastructure and services our community needs.

I will put the strongest case forward within a new Coalition government to deliver the Singleton Bypass and widen the ‘Hole in the Wall’ as the next infrastructure priorities for the Singleton community.

I am not afraid to argue against my colleagues or to cross the floor on the big issues if it is in Hunter’s best interests.

You won’t get unbelievable promises from me, but you will get strong, passionate representation.

ANN LAWLER

If elected, my focus will be to stop the Cyprus “Bail-In” Plan for Australia from being passed through parliament. 

The only way to avoid such passage is for government to instead legislate for a US styled Glass-Steagall Act. 

Unless the speculative gambling is completely separated away from our commercial banking the demand by global banks for more capital to feed derivatives gambling will see Australian deposits confiscated and Hunter people and businesses denied the means to live and trade.

The CEC’s global fight for a Glass-Steagall bank separation is a battle no one can afford not to be won.

So fight with me; learn how we can revive our productive economy and create an optimistic future for the next generations without being at the mercy of foreign borrowing or investment.

Public credit through a government owned bank to fund major infrastructure projects will create an enormous amount of work in manufacturing, construction and more: infrastructure for the nation not foreign mining interests.  

Nationalising our raw materials will mean less is dug up but more value is created through manufacturing finished goods for both domestic use and foreign trade.

Fighting for the national interest is how best to serve your interest.

BILL FOX

IF  I were elected I would be holding meetings in the major towns of the Hunter Electorate to try and inform the people of the electorate of treaties and documents that are in place that go against the Australian way of life, 

I would be trying to get the people to go on the internet and check out different sites so they can make up their own minds as to whether they agree or disagree as it is now most people say what can I do, well let’s get communities working together and start educating yourself on what is happening in our electorate.            

I would be trying to stop foreign ownership of Australia, end the sale of public assets and repeal United Nations treaties of no benefit to Australia, restore tariff protection, revitalise Austral-ian Industry and manufacturing and initiate financial support for small business and the rural sector.

Take positive action on such matters as taxation reform, education, health, unemployment, crime, the environment and the discrimination created by political correctness. 

I would be trying to stop federal funding for candidates in all state and federal elections I would be willing to take a 20 per cent pay cut and donate to a Hunter charity if elected.

JENNIFER STEFANAC

It is time for a fundamental change, not only for Singleton but for Australia. 

The Palmer United Party has a positive policy to turbo-charge the Australian economy. 

We will release $70 billion into the economy to create confidence, demand and jobs. This will be done by changing the situation where companies pay their tax yearly on actual results instead of quarterly estimates. 

The benefits to Singleton will increase employment opportunities and more stability due to the following changes required for a positive outcome for Australians overall; abolishing Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and reduce Personal Income Tax by 15per cent putting $2,500 in the average taxpayer's pocket. 

As this stream of money is circulated in the economy, the government will still get 10 per cent GST. 

Every time you spend it will create more jobs and demand. 

Another exciting policy for the Singleton residents is to make the first $10,000 of your mortgage tax deductible, boosting the construction industry, home ownership and helping every Australian to own their home. 

We would also like to increase the age pension 20 per cent which is $150 per fortnight. 

We have positive policies to help our communities which can be found at www.palmerunited.com 

JOEL FITZGIBBON

As Neil McNamara would always say, we want to ensure Singleton remains a great place to live, to work and to play.  He might well have added; "to learn".

Learning has been a focus for me; school upgrades, trades training centres, and a new community college.  Play has been important too; new playground equipment, amenities blocks and flood lighting for our sporting fields.

Singleton's economy is strong, interest rates are low and our unemployment remains very low.  I pledge to keep it that way. Singleton's retail shopping is expanding and improving, and the Hunter Expressway will make the drive to Newcastle and Sydney safer and 30 minutes quicker.

Now that the State Government is finally planning for a Singleton by-pass, I will soon have a project to seek funding for. Assuming majority community, it will be my next priority.

I will continue to oppose the mining camp, it would not be a good thing for Singleton.  People were concerned about the possibility of a detention centre at Lone Pine Barracks so I have ensured that will never happen.

I will continue to fight for on-going improvements in our Health and aged care systems, they are amongst our most important assets.

This is my pledge.

RICHARD STRETTON

Hello again my friends of the Hunter Valley.

If you the people of the Hunter Valley are somewhat disappointed in the performance of both of the major parties, there is another option. 

I may be only one individual in a minor party but should you elect me to represent you before this nation in Canberra I guarantee that I will not be silent.

 I have a passion for this nation and for this electorate; I will not be silent in representing you. 

This electorate has provided huge amounts of income to the federal coffers over many years and although I don’t consider us to be destitute in relation to infrastructure etc. I do believe that we deserve better than we currently have in relation to our input.

I will “rattle cages” to continue the freeway to the north of Aberdeen as soon as possible. 

I will search for and provide the best outcomes for you in relation to local health. 

I will do all in my power to protect our economy from the international market. 

I will encourage local manufacturing to provide for more than just the mining sector. 

Although I am far from perfect I will do my best before almighty God to represent you with passion and integrity. 

The future is in your hands.

God bless.