NSW Opposition Leader, John Robertson visited the Port Stephens state electorate recently and Kate Washington, Labor Candidate for Port Stephens, gave him the tour.

Kate Washington, Labor candidate for Port Stephens said she invited him to come to a jobs summit conducted in Raymond Terrace because she believes unemployment is a chronic issue that needs addressing within the electorate. People who work with youth and the unemployed in various sectors, attended the summit.  John Robertson outlined Labor’s policies to turn around the unemployment crisis and listened to the local participants to hear what has worked locally in the past. “We heard that many of the local initiatives that had previously achieved success, are no-longer funded under the Coalition State and Federal governments,” said Kate Washinghton. Following the jobs summit, John and Kate met with workers from Tomago Aluminium who are concerned about their jobs in light of the rapidly increasing gas prices.  John announced Labor’s policy to support a gas reservation policy to ensure Australians get the benefit of our own resources, instead of having to pay global market prices. Ms Washington said, “To me it’s common sense that we should reserve enough gas for domestic use to ensure availability of the resource at a reasonable price.” John and Kate also took time to walk around and visit some local business owners and residents. “I was delighted to have John visit Port Stephens electorate so he could hear, first hand, the issues affecting our community,” said Ms Washington. “I’m hopeful I will get an opportunity to work with John Robertson, to support programmes and implement policies that will make a positive difference to Port Stephens,” she said.