THE POLL BLUDGER
New South Wales Legislative Assembly Election 2007

UPPER HUNTER
Nationals 7.2%

Upper Hunter covers 30,287 square kilometres of territory north-west of Newcastle, including the Hunter Valley towns of Singleton and Muswellbrook, extending east to Stroud and Gloucester and west to Goulburn River National Park. The redistribution has drawn the electorate closer to the coast; it has gained 12,000 voters around Singleton from Cessnock, nearly 6000 around Dungog from Maitland further north, and 4500 around Gloucester from Myall Lakes. More than 11,000 voters, mostly in Mudgee, have been transferred to Orange in the south-west, while around 6000 in Coonabarabran and Coolah Shire in the north-west go to Barwon. The seat has been in conservative hands since it was recreated with the abolition of proportional representation in 1927, and in National/Country Party hands since 1931. Former accountant and Singleton Shire president George Souris (left) became member in 1988 at the age of 38, going on to hold portfolios including finance and land and water conservation in the Fahey government. He became leader of the party in 1999 after deposing Ian Armstrong, a rare event in a party renowned for long leadership reigns and peaceful transitions. Souris stood aside as leader after the 2003 election, when he was succeeded by Oxley MP Andrew Stoner. Labor's candidate is Muswellbrook councillor Jennifer Lecky (right).

ASSESSMENT: Nationals retain