Upper Hunter byelection: Independent candidate Kirsty O'Connell says major parties 'scared' of sensible coal debate

Michael Parris
Updated May 11 2021 - 7:58pm, first published 5:56pm
Kirsty O'Connell has called for a "sensible" debate about the future of mining in the Hunter.
Kirsty O'Connell has called for a "sensible" debate about the future of mining in the Hunter.

Independent Upper Hunter candidate Kirsty O'Connell says the major parties will not have an "honest conversation" with the electorate about the future of mining because they are scared it will cost them votes.

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Michael Parris

Michael Parris

Journalist

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.

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