The Nationals have named Maitland cafe owner Josh Angus, who ran in Cessnock in last month's NSW election, as their federal candidate for the Hunter electorate.
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The 26-year-old will take on Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon, who has a 12.5 per cent margin, in the national vote on March 18.
Mr Angus shaved 2.7 per cent off Clayton Barr's 22 per cent margin in Cessnock despite being gagged from talking to the media during the campaign.
His state candidacy caused friction in the Cessnock Liberal branch, which had been positioning itself to contest the seat for the Coalition.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Greens hope John Mackenzie has promised $26 million for flood protection in Wallsend, including $6 million for rebuilding the Boscawen Street bridge and $20 million for channel widening.
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Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
