Federal Election 2022: Connection key in Liberal-National government's Paterson campaign

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was at Williamtown on Thursday, April 14 to announce the government will fully fund Newcastle Airport's $55 million international terminal building.

"Making Newcastle Airport an international gateway to the world will further enhance the Hunter's capacity as a regional powerhouse that drives the development of our nation and makes us as strong as possible as quickly as possible," the Nationals leader said.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese, who also visited the the Hunter on April 14, pledged to match the commitment.

The competing announcements reflect the importance of the Hunter and Paterson electorates to both major parties as they scramble for the seats they need to form government next month. The Hunter division is held by Labor on a slim 3 per cent margin while in Paterson, Labor's Meryl Swanson is protecting a 5 per cent margin.

Mr Joyce's office stressed the money was not an election campaign promise but came from the Hunter's $750 million allocation under the new Energy Security and Regional Development Plan announced in last month's budget.

The airport, which is owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, has been lobbying hard for the terminal upgrade.

Paterson's Liberal candidate, Brooke Vitnell, welcomed the airport funding.

"This will further open us up to the world and bring new economic opportunities and jobs for locals and shows what can be done. Strong local representatives as part of the Liberal and Nationals Government will get more done for the Hunter to create more jobs and opportunities across our great region."

On Wednesday, April 13, Ms Vitnell welcomed Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher to Fern Bay to announce her campaign to "eradicate frustrating and dangerous mobile phone blackspots" across the Paterson electorate.

"We need solutions such as upgrades to existing towers, or new mobile base stations so we can stay connected. Telecommunications are an essential service for all communities across the Paterson electorate and only the Liberal/Nationals Government has an economic plan that will ensure we can improve these services," she said.

Ms Vitnell said key locations where mobile coverage needed to be improved across the electorate included Fern Bay, Bobs farm (nearest to the sandhills), Boat Harbour, Cliftleigh, Gillieston Heights, Medowie, Campvale and Kurri Kurri.

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