Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 5:13 PM

Subject: NEWCASTLE POLITICS

 Hi All,

Spoke to a contact in Newcastle on Friday who had the good grace to say 'IF'  they expand Port Botany. Can only hope that there is a backlash from them. Cheers, Lynda

In full swing

 March 17, 2007  The Newcastle Herald

Both Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam know that their chances at next Saturday's election may well hinge on their fortunes in the Hunter Region, Jason Gordon reports.

BLOOD spilled, fresh blood injected, sheer bloody-mindedness. Welcome to  the bloody Newcastle election.

The most talked-about, moaned-about, smack-you-in-the-face election campaign in the Hunter's history will enter the home straight this week in much the same canter that it started in five months ago.

Only Dan Brown could have written a better script, although The Da Vinci Code's subtle conclusion could have been more easily picked.

At least four Lower Hunter seats could change hands next Saturday, significantly changing the region's political landscape, and that of NSW.

For anyone harbouring doubts about Newcastle's importance to the  Government, consider that Premier Morris Iemma is expected to kick off the final week of his campaign by joining the Blue and Red Army at EnergyAustralia Stadium tomorrow, raising hopes that the second half of the stadium might finally get a fully funded guernsey.

Strange things happen in marginal seats.