By MATT NICHOLLS
CANDIDATES in Lyne are jostling for position as the election race heats up – but the local focus has gone missing.
If early politicking is any indication, voters are being bombarded with the most party propaganda of any election in history.
At the Port Macquarie Independent, a raft of more than 30 mostly generic press releases from candidates in Lyne have hit the newsdesk this week.
And they’ve come from far and wide – Kevin Rudd’s office and Tony Abbott’s team have also been trying to muscle in.
Even Katter’s Australian Party, which doesn’t have a candidate in Lyne, has been trying to push its own barrow in Port Macquarie.
On the ground, Nationals candiate David Gillespie, Country Labor hopeful Peter Alley and Palmer United Party aspirant Troy Wilkie represent the best-funded parties and have had the most presence in the Independent’s inbox.
Greens candidate Ian Oxenford has also been vocal.
Christian Democratic Party candidate John Klose has sent just one email, inviting people to attend a forum in Port Macquarie later this month.
He told the Independent that he would rather share his views in person.
“We don’t have the money to pay for ads and media people,” he said.
If there has been one trend in the politicking to date, it has been the lack of local policies.
While refugees and economic growth are important issues to all Australians, the people of Lyne want to know what is going to happen in their backyard.
History suggests most people have made up their mind as to who they will vote for, but a good local policy or promise might be enough to get a swing.
With three weeks of campaigning to go, let’s hope the issues important to the residents of Lyne start to take centre stage.
** What issues would you like to see addressed by the Lyne candidates? Like the Port Macquarie on Facebook and let us know, or send a letter to the editor.
