Priority areas revised in hopes to cure Hunter's GP shortfall

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has changed the rules for recruiting doctors across the Hunter, in hopes to make it easier to get more GPs into the region.

The Distribution Priority Areas have been updated in more than 700 areas across the country, in hopes to cure the GP shortfall.

International medical graduates and overseas trained doctors are only able to access Medicare if they work in a priority area.

The change applies to the Kurri Kurri – Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland, Morisset – Cooranbong, Toukley – Budgewoi, Cessnock, Cessnock Region, and Nelson Bay catchment areas.

Paterson Candidate Calls for an End to Campaign Slurs

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Liberal candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell is calling for an end to "grubby gutter politics", after being targeted by vandals and online trolls over her appearance. 

Ms Vitnell has faced a barrage of sexual slurs throughout her campaign. When speaking to The Daily Telegraph, she said she has been repeatedly attacked on Facebook because of her looks, with some users employing inappropriate symbols to depict her face and body. 

She also said she has had to reprint more than 800 campaign posters since the announcement of the election, and lost more than 100 corflute signs in one evening to vandals in what she called a "coordinated attack" against her. Some signs were torn down and others were graffitied with sexual imagery. 

One of Ms Vitnell's largest campaign signs in the region had to be reinforced with screws after being stolen six times, but was then defaced by vandals who spay-painted male genitalia next to her face. 

Ms Vitnell expressed her disdain for the attacks, and claims they escalated significantly in the lead-up to the opening of pre-poll voting today. 

"I certainly don't think this happens to male candidates in marginal seats. This is a coordinated attack by those opposite to disparage me based on how I look and attack my character, because in tight contest they don't have anything else left to do other than attack people with disparaging sexual remarks and try to discredit them," she said. 

Her call to end the abuse also stems from fears the barrage of slander will deter women from entering politics in the future. 

"Grubby politics need to be a thing of the past. We need more women in our parliament. We need more women to put their hand up and represent their community," Ms Vitnell said. 

"Our Parliament needs to be representative of our country. 51% of our population are women and they need to be encouraged to put their hand up, not deterred, because if they do, they'll face sexist sledges and remarks." 

In response, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson has come out in support of Ms Vitnell, describing the situation as appalling. 

"I am sorry you have been targeted in such a way. I know how you feel and I find it appalling. My team and I delete such comments as soon as we are aware of them, and expect all candidates to do the same. In my experience it is usually not 'those opposite' who make such comments but people who are just vile in nature."

Ms Vitnell said the attacks would not deter her from her campaign in the lead-up to the election. 

"All it does for me is harden my resolve that I want to fight for this community. It encourages me to keep on going."

Image: Brooke Vitnell's Facebook Page

Liberal candidate calling for youth crime crackdown in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A local Liberal candidate is calling for a crackdown on youth crime and more investment in early intervention in the Hunter.

Paterson Candidate Brooke Vitnell launched the new campaign on Tuesday morning.

It comes just days after two teenagers were arrested and charged with allegedly burning down two buildings at Irrawang Public School on the weekend.

Ms Vitnell says something needs to be done.

"I'll be fighting for crime-alleviating capital infrastructure for our region, through Safer Communities funding," Ms Vitnell said.

"And also funding for early intervention projects to work in conjunction with local organisations across the Hunter community."

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash has echoed the calls.

She says it's important to nip these issues in the bud.

"Brooke and I have spent some time this morning wandering around and talking to small businesses, and in particular what they would like to see, by way of the better infrastructure, so that their businesses are kept safe," Ms Cash said.

"Whether it's CCTV, whether it's bollards being put up, whether it's lighting.

"It's all about Brooke, working on the ground with the communities, to then put in that application to the fund."

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning.

Libs And Christian Democrats 'No Show' At Williamtown Forum

BY IAN CROUCH

Williamtown residents affected by PFAS contamination have again vented their anger during a candidate forum last night.

Candidates were quizzed on what they would do to address the crisis.

The candidates representing the Greens, One Nation and the United Australia Party committed to fight for compensation if elected.

However, sitting Labor MP, Meryl Swanson refused to commit to financial assistance but confirmed a number of other measures will be announced on Thursday.

Than candidates for Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats did not attend the forum.
 
Liberal hopeful, Sachin Joshi emailed the forum on Monday morning to advise he was unable to attend due to previous campaign commitments.

Candidates for the federal seat of Paterson at last night's forum Picture: theherald.com.au

Port Stephens Liberal Meeting Sparks Plea for PM Visit

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Hunter's Paterson and Port Stephens MPs are calling for a federal government representative to visit Williamtown over the weekend.

It comes as high-profile Liberal Party Generals prepare for a Saturday meeting of the Liberal State Council in Port Stephens, with tradition dictating the Federal Leader of the Liberals be in attendance.

Meryl Swanson and Kate Washington are asking those party members and the Prime Minister - whoever he may be - to stop in the PFAS red zone and meet with devastated residents. 

The pair has slammed the petty politics happening in Canberra, with federal parliament shut down this afternoon, ahead of a leadership spill tomorrow which looks set to see Malcolm Turnbull toppled by Peter Dutton or Scott Morrison.

In an impassioned speech delivered on Wednesday night, Ms Swanson said the Prime Minister cannot conscionably pass by the Williamtown contamination zone.

"Gladys Berejiklian, the NSW Premier, will be there and tradition says that the federal leader should arrive as well," Ms Swanson explained, "well whoever that may be, when the VIP jet lands on Saturday DO NOT detour past the people of Williamtown, have the gumption to face them."

Kate Washington has also called on the government to focus on those Defence has wronged, rather than themselves.

"I don't want to see the Prime Minister drive through the red-zone and avoid these families like the Premier did last year," she said.

With the coalition in chaos, it seems unlikely a high-ranking cabinet member will make an appearance in Williamtown, but residents are surely keeping their fingers crossed.

Family escape housefire near Paterson

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Investigations are underway into a house fire near Paterson earlier today which triggered a huge response from emergency services.

Seven Rural Fire Service and two Fire and Rescue crews arrived at the property on Keppies Road around 7:30 to find the house well ablaze.

A family of five were evacuated from the house as one of their cars was destroyed and the other was damaged.

Electricians have been called in to inspect the house, amidst fears the steel frame of the house remaining after the blaze has been electrified by damaged solar panels.