Craig Baumann Member of Parliament for Port Stephens wrote this for the Myall Coast News of the area

DEAR Myall Coast News,
I am pleased to serve the community as the Member for Port Stephens.

Last Monday I was involved in interviewing local high school students vying for selection for a trip to Gallipoli and then travelled to Sydney for State Parliament and was unfortunately unable to meet your deadline.

It was a great pleasure to address the North Arm Cove Residents Association.

There was plenty of spirited debate about a range of issues – exactly what democracy is all about.

I thank the Association for their invitation to attend and as I said on the day, congratulate them for their continued hard work in making North Arm Cove such a wonderful hamlet in which to live and visit.

As you would know, following the ICAC hearings I have stepped aside from the Parliamentary Liberal Party, meaning I sit on the cross bench in Parliament until the Commissioner delivers her final report in January.

I am still a proud member of the Liberal party and I am currently the endorsed Liberal candidate for the March 2015 election.

I have publicly apologised for my errors in reporting donations back in 2007 and reiterate that I have received not one cent in illegal donations and I certainly have not given any inappropriate preferential treatment to any supporter.

Serving my constituents in Port Stephens is my number one priority – the Coalition has been in government for only three and a half years after16 long years of Labor neglect.

We are making NSW Number One again and I look forward to continue working to help make my electorate even better.