Alp `heartland'
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday March 23, 1999
THE seat of Swansea was thrown open following the decision by Labor MP Jill Hall to leave State politics in favour of Canberra at the October Federal election.
Her heir apparent is Lake Macquarie councillor Milton Orkopoulus, who will be looking to take over the reins in a seat that enjoys a 10.2% Labor margin.
Labor polled 52.7% of the primary vote in 1995 compared to the Liberals' 30.2% and other parties' 17.1%.
The retirement of longstanding MP Don Bowman in Swansea sparked a vigorous three-way contest for the seat at the last election.
Mr Bowman had lost the seat to Independent Ivan Welsh in 1988 but won it back in 1991.
Swansea electorate contains 58,226 people living in an area extending from Mount Hutton in the north to San Remo in the south.
Election issues will include the environmental protection of Lake Macquarie, recreational access to the lake and regional mining concerns in areas such as Chain Valley Bay.
Labor's Mr Orkopoulus is highlighting industrial relations as the State Government attempts to highlight its opposition to the Federal Government's reform agenda.
The rehabilitation of Lake Macquarie is a thorny issue here, with the Government coming under fire by Lake Macquarie Mayor John Kilpatrick for offering $5.9million to a job estimated to cost up to $40million.
Labor is promoting plans for a new $17million high school at Lake Munmorah, while on the health front it is highlighting the performance of Belmont Hospital as a local plus to some poor results in other hospitals.
Law and order and the need for more resources for lake rehabilitation are being targeted by candidates Jane Wiltshire (Liberal) and Ron Gardnir (One Nation) who want more resources in both areas as well as health.
The Greens, represented by Deb Gorgievski, are fighting to preserve as open space BHP-owned land between Belmont and Redhead.
DEB GORGIEVSKI (Greens).
AN ecologist in her mid-20s, Ms Gorgievski is manager of a garden products business and a member of a landcare group. She was recently married. She has a passion for protecting flora and fauna.
Major issues: End clear-felling and woodchipping of native forests; new attitudes towards development approvals and design; controls on the construction of artificial reefs and fish breeding.
JANE WILTSHIRE (Liberal).
Ms Wiltshire, married, is a former detective-sergeant with the Australian Federal Police. She is a volunteer coordinator with Meals on Wheels.
Major issues: Law and order and the need for more police; better rehabilitation of Lake Macquarie and preservation of the local environment, and more hospital resources.
MICHELLE WALLS (Democrats).
The Democrats want an even-handed approach by workers and employers, industrial democracy and a greater mutual understanding and equality in income per hour of work, between city and country dwellers.
RON GARDNIR (One Nation).
Married with three children, Mr Gardnir, who works as a bus driver, has lived in Swansea for the past 11 years.
He says he joined One Nation because it spoke the truth and can provide the best representation of Australian interests.
Mr Gardnir says Swansea has suffered because it is a safe Labor seat.
Major issues: Preservation and rehabilitiation of Lake Macquarie; more jobs through the support and protection of Australian industry and small business; checks on economic rationalism, law and order.
GUY WOOD (Christian Democrats).
Mr Wood is a science and maths teacher at Belmont Christian College since changing jobs last year. He has volunteered as a youth counsellor, leadership trainer, church supporter and teacher of personal development courses.
Major issues: Opposition to the legalisation of brothels; the removal of police powers over pimps; the drugs menace. He is campaigning for family values and well-educated, community spirited youth. MILTON ORKOPOULOS (Labor).
Married with three children, studied economics at Newcastle University, he worked as a trainee nurse, a BHP steelworker, a storeman, waiter, and electorate officer for MPs Peter Morris, Don Bowman and Jill Hall.
Mr Orkopoulos hopes to obtain a fairer distribution of resources and facilities.
Major issues: industrial relations, electricity privatisation opposition, law and order, employment, environment, building of Lake Munmorah high school.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald