With the date set for the Upper Hunter by-election and candidates soon to be formally announced the next question is what issues will matter most to electors.
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According to The Nationals, Labor and One Nation protecting coal mining jobs is their number one concern.
So much so that last week's announcement that former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had been appointed to chair the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board was revoked when Mr Turnbull spoke out strongly calling for a moratorium on coal mine expansion.
Mr Turnbull also highlighted issues with air quality in the Upper Hunter citing data showing the postcode 2333 ( Muswellbrook) was the worst in the country for air pollution.
He and his wife Lucy made a submission on the plans by MACH Energy to double production at their Mount Pleasant mine near Muswellbrook. The Turnbull's called for the plans to be rejected citing one of their reasons as being the expected air pollution of the such an expansion.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro rejected Mr Turnbull's calls on a coal mine moratoriums claiming on ABC radio "This whole issue around clean air especially in the Upper Hunter and across the state is that people manipulate the data to suit their argument."
A sentiment repeated by One Nation's Mark Latham, MLC.
Commenting on the Upper Hunter's air quality Singleton GP Bob Vickers said "As a doctor on the ground in the Hunter region where communities are exposed to far higher levels of toxic pollution than other parts of the country, I see it right in front of me every day, treating a high volume of patients with asthma, lung conditions and heart problems."