Key issues in the by-election

WE’VE compiled plenty of stories on all 13 candidates and key issues of the campaign to help voters understand where candidates stand on a range of issues.

Below are a list of key stories on key issues, which we will keep adding to.

Also see Voting 101: Upper Hunter by-election for more helpful information, dispelling some of the voting myths, where you can vote and profiles each candidate.

An overview: Overview on where candidates stand.

• Agricultural jobs:
  • Candidates on: Agricultural jobs and assisting young farmers
  • Candidates on: Potential glyphosate ban and agricultural land
  • Cutting government red tape on farming – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party.
• Asset sales:
  • Murray Bain Oval and Jefferson Park to be sold? – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party.
  • Plans to reinvigorate public assets and transport – Dale McNamara – One Nation.
  • See also TAFE
• Bypasses:
  • Sue Gilroy: “Hold them to account” – Sue Gilroy, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
  • Labor commit $25million to Singleton bypass off-ramp
  • Cr Moore thrilled with state government commitment to Putty Road interchange
• Coal mining:
  • Candidates on: Mining future and renewable prospects
  • Candidates jostle on Mangoola Mine Expansion
  • Candidates on: Kurri Kurri Gas Plant
  • Where candidates stand on Labor workers plan
  • Labor backs Jeff’s bill for workers – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party
  • Nats and Union stoush over mine workers – David Layzell, National Party
  • Jeff Drayton stands up for working people
  • The government’s long term vision for coal mine dependent communities
  • Abbott: Coal mines need water monitoring – Sue Abbott, The Greens
  • Government curbs open cut mining at Dartbrook – David Layzell, National Party
  • Greens tackle “pathetic air pollution standards” – Sue Abbott, The Greens.
  • Norman wants further transition commitment – Tracy Norman, Independent.
  • Future-proofing the Upper Hunter – David Layzell, Nationals Party.
  • Drayton: jobs the paramount issue of the by-election
• Climate change:
  • Candidates on: Mining future and renewable prospects 
  • Abbott: Media failing on climate change
  • Scone students talk climate change – Sue Abbott, The Greens.
  • Greens tackle “pathetic air pollution standards” – Sue Abbott, The Greens.
  • Sue Abbott: Greens candidate for the Upper Hunter envisions an electrified future
• Community services and housing:
  • Sleeping rough in the Upper Hunter – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party
• Dairy industry:
  • Who killed the dairy industry? – Sue Gilroy, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
  • Labor promises an independent dairy and fresh food commissioner – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party.
• Education:
  • Labor demands delivery on school upgrade – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party.
  • Plans for a Polytechnic training institute at Aberdeen – Dale McNamara, One Nation Party.
  • See also TAFE.
• Electricity:
  • Candidates on: Proposed Ausgrid power lines.
  • A new energy source with Bayswater 2 – Dale McNamara, One Nation.
• Health:
  • Candidates on: Rural health care.
  • Candidates respond to call for counsellors in hospitals
  • Labor calls for counsellors in local hospitals
  • Peak body supports calls for counsellors in local hospitals
  • Muswellbrook hospital hoax called out – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party and Sue Abbott, the Greens.
  • Nationals fund empty Muswellbrook Hospital wing
  • Hospital security issues: “I’m a nurse, I’ve been there” – Sue Gilroy, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. 
• Indigenous communities: 
• Norman: Supporting indigenous communities
• Mouse plague:
  • Financial support needed to combat mouse plague
  • Candidates on: Mouse plague issues
• Property tax and the Emergency Services Levy:
  • Candidates on: Property tax and the Emergency Services Levy.
• Public transport:
  • Kate Fraser calls for better public transport – Kate Fraser, Independent.
  • Plans to reinvigorate public assets and transport – Dale McNamara, One Nation.
  • Sue Abbott: Greens candidate for the Upper Hunter envisions an electrified future
• Resources for regions:
  • $75 million Resources for Regions Round Eight – David Layzelle, National Party.
  • Redistributing mining royalties – Drayton, Labor Party.
  • Singleton, Muswellbrook mining royalties farce – Drayton, Labor Party.
  • Greens call for coal royalties trust fund – Sue Abbott, The Greens.
• Road funding:
  • Candidates on: Road funding and Merriwa-Willow Tree Road debacle.
  • Injection of $25 million for Dungog roads – David Layzell, National Party.
  • Norman tired of unfulfilled road promises – Tracy Norman, Independent.
  • Kate Fraser’s approach to funding Upper Hunter roads – Kate Fraser, Independent.
• Rural fire services:
  • Labor will build new rural fire station – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party. 
  • State Government announces $650,000 for new Kayuga fire station – David Layzell, National Party.
• Sporting facilities:
  • Funding female facilities – David Layzell, National Party.
  • Muswellbrook Greyhound Track receives TAB redemption revamp – David Layzell, National Party.
  • Dale McNamara: $1.2 million for sports facilities – Dale McNamara, One Nation.
  • Getting mentally fit – NRL State of Mind Program – David Layzell, National Party.
  • Gilroy faces lockout on final campaign day – Sue Gilroy, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
• TAFE sales:
  • Candidates on: Scone TAFE sale, education and training.
  • Are more TAFE sales underway  in the Upper Hunter? – Jeff Drayton, Labor Party.
  • Candidates react to Nationals TAFE announcement
  • TAFE sale defended – David Layzell, National Party
  • Layzell: TAFE “great deal” – Drayton: “For who?” – David Layzell, National Party and Jeff Drayton, Labor Party
  • Scone donates $1 million to Muswellbrook TAFE – David Layzell, National Party
  • David Layzell says $4 milllion from Scone TAFE sell-off should remain in Scone
  • Scone TAFE community forum: What you need to know
  • Scone TAFE: Half-price deal already done?
  • Labor calls for TAFE debate
• Telecommunications:
  • Candidates on: Merriwa funding shares and telecommunications
• Voluntary assisted dying:
  • Candidates on voluntary assisted dying.
• Wastewater:
  • Safer waterways for Dungog – David Layzell, National Party.
• Water trading and protecting land:
  • Candidates on: Water trading and protecting land
  • Abbott: Coal mines need water monitoring – Sue Abbott, The Greens
• Women:
  • Barilaro funds Upper Hunter Women in Business – David Layzell, National Party.
  • Dale McNamara: $1.2 million for sports facilities – Dale McNamara, One Nation

For more information on voting in the by-election: Voting 101: Upper Hunter by-election.