NEWCASTLE and Charlestown residents will take to the polling booths this Saturday to cast their votes in the state seats' byelections.
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The seats became vacant in August when sitting MPs Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell stepped down after giving evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Both admitted to accepting alleged illegal donations from prohibited donors that contributed to their 2011 election campaigns, including from former Newcastle lord mayor and developer Jeff McCloy.
Mr Owen had already announced in May that he would not recontest the seat of Newcastle at the next election.
The pair have since resigned from the Liberal Party and Parliament.
With the seats now up for grabs, eight candidates have nominated to contest the seat of Newcastle, and nine nominees will vie for Charlestown.
Neither seat has a Liberal candidate, despite the party holding a 2.6 per cent margin in Newcastle and a 9.9 per cent margin in Charlestown.
Mr Owen won the seat of Newcastle in 2011 with 52.6 per cent of the votes in the two-candidate preferred result, while Labor candidate Jodi McKay gained 47.7 per cent of the votes.
In Charlestown, Mr Cornwell won with 43.8 per cent of the vote compared to Labor candidate Matthew Morris' 40.1 per cent.
This time, Newcastle councillors Tim Crakanthorp (Labor) and Michael Osborne (Greens) are tipped to take the lead in their electorate, while Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison (Labor) is a strong contender for Charlestown.
The Star asked the 2014 Newcastle and Charlestown state byelection candidates: What are your key concerns in your electorate? Newcastle electorate answers are below. Click here to read answers from the Charlestown electorate.
BRIAN BUCKLEY CLARE
Independent
My key concerns are: the NSW government’s dictatorial decision without consultation and agreement with the community to erase on short notice the train line from Wickham to Newcastle in December without a viable transport option for the benefit of high-rise development; coal dust pollution and distrust of Liberal and Labor parties.
MILTON CAINE
Christian Democratic Party
Honesty, integrity and accountability in Newcastle have been missing for many years. This I can deliver with a wholesome efficient transport plan that includes trains to Newcastle station. We need to build trains here to save and create jobs. I want to improve health outcomes via more nurses in emergency departments; cover the coal wagons and stop T4. The city must be revitalised with family-friendly entertainment, a multipurpose cruising passenger terminal and other tourism-related infrastructure.
TIM CRAKANTHORP
Labor
My vision is for a vibrant, healthy, smart Newcastle with full employment. A city that nurtures the creativity for which we are known. My key concerns for Newcastle are: jobs and youth unemployment; a fair share of the port sale proceeds; more money and resources into our ailing health system, stop the huge cuts to TAFE and increases in fees for students; and a focus on the environment.
JACQUELINE HAINES
Independent
As a business woman, active community member and mother of two young sons, my key concerns for Newcastle are: that our political leaders drive an innovative plan for the economic diversification of our city; that we have first-class education and training facilities; and an integrated public transport system designed to enhance our business and social life. Only these things can deliver the prosperous future I want for Newcastle.
KAREN HOWARD
Independent
My key concerns are: youth unemployment; maintaining the rail line corridor as green, public space; diverting freight trains from suburban tracks and rejuvenating the city. I will hold the major parties accountable for their promises and want an evening economy to evolve as part of CBD revitalisation. More passive transport is a priority and use of the large spaces on the city fringe for park-and-ride.
STEVE O’BRIEN
Socialist Alliance
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has exposed a corrupt culture of money politics in Newcastle. While the corporate elites get richer, we face the closure of our rail line, the sale of Stockton Hospital, higher education fees, cutbacks in TAFE, the electricity sell-off and the privatisation of the port. Hundreds of public sector jobs are also being cut. The Socialist Alliance says let’s reclaim this city, reclaim our democracy and stop the sell-offs.
MICHAEL OSBORNE
Greens
Newcastle needs planning that puts people before rich developers, and development that respects our unique skyline. We need public transport that encourages people to eat, play and work in town. We need to enhance capacity for world-class innovation to capitalise on the clean energy economy. We need a city whose future is not determined by Sydney but is driven by our community. Now, more than ever, Newcastle needs clean politics.
JENNIFER STEFANAC
Palmer United-backed Independent
The Australian Council of Social Service states that one in six children live in poverty now. Novocastrians are tired of political rhetoric. People need an integrated transport system by adding options, not truncation. People should be the priority, not profit. Privatisation is not the answer to deliver frontline public services, nor is selling off electricity infrastructure or deregulation of educational institutions. This is unequitable and will cause further disadvantage to all sectors in Newcastle.