tween seven candidates in the Federal Election, all vying for the seat of Hume.
Hume covers an area of approximately 33,637 sq km from Cowra in the north to Wee Jasper in the south and parts of the Southern Highlands from Picton and Wilton in the east to Young and Cootamundra in the west.
It includes the entire local Government areas of Boorowa, Cootamundra, Cowra, Goulburn Mulwaree, Harden, Upper Lachlan, Weddin, Yass Valley and Young Councils and parts of Palerang, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly Shires.
Incumbent Liberal Member, Alby Schultz, has held the seat since 1998.
Before that it was held by John Sharp (Nationals, 1993-1998); Wal Fife (Liberal, 1984-1993); Stephen Lusher (Country Party, National Country Party, National Party, 1974-1984); Frank Olley (ALP 1972-1974) and John Pettitt (CP 1963-1972).
Messieurs AN Fuller (ALP) and CGW Anderson (CP) battled over Hume for two decades, with Mr Fuller representing Hume on three separate occasions, 1943-1949, 1951-1955 and 1961-63, and Mr Anderson twice, 1949-1951 and 1955-1961.
Other representatives have been Collins CJ (CP 1931-43), Moloney PJ (ALP 1919- 1931), Falkener FBS (Nationalist 1917- 1919), Patten R (Lib 1913-1917) and Lyne WJ (Protectionist Party/Independent 1901-1913).
Many of the candidates have been crisscrossing the electorate, speaking to voters and explaining the benefits of their particular philosophy.
Apart from Boorowa, candidates have visited places such as Bargo, Binalong, Bundanoon, Buxton, Caragabal, Colo Vale, Cootamundra, Cowra, Crookwell, Gooloogong, Goulburn, Grenfell, Gundaroo, Gunning, Harden/ Murrumburrah, High Range, Hill Top, Joadja, Jugiong, Marulan, Murrumbateman, Oakdale, Picton, Quandialla, Stockinbingal, Sutton, Tahmoor, Tarago, The Oaks, Thirlmere, Wallendbeen, Wilton, Yass and Young.
A total of 1198 candidates have nominated to run in the 2010 federal election, 349 Senate candidates for the 40 Senate vacancies and 849 candidates for the 150 House of Representatives seats across Australia. Nominations are made up of 353 female candidates and 845 male candidates.
A total of 1421 candidates stood at the 2007 federal election.
In NSW, 84 candidates have nominated for the six NSW Senate positions.
During this election, 97,291 electors in Hume - 49,820 males and 47,471 females - will be required to attend a polling station on this Saturday, August 21 or lodge early or postal votes.
Boorowa voters can find a polling booth at the Boorowa Central School from 8am to 6pm this Saturday.
Labor candidate Robin Saville lives in Goulburn, with his young family and has had a lifelong association with the region.
Mr Saville is a school teacher and has been teaching in Bowral, Canberra and Goulburn, returning to Goulburn last year after two years lecturing at the National University in South Korea.
“My campaign message is simple: We deserve more from our local member,” Mr Saville said.
“As your local member I will make myself available to everyone in Hume.
“I want to be an active representative for our communities and will work for better planning and services in this fast growing area,” he said.
“I want to promote the electorate of Hume as a great place to live and work, and encourage industry and economic activity into the region,” said Mr Saville.
Liberal Democratic Party candidate Lisa Milat said people want change but they don’t know how to go about it.
“By voting Liberal Democrats at this election you will be standing up for your rights and sending a clear message to whatever party gains power,” Ms Milat said.
“We are fed up with over regulation and intrusion into our lives. The LDP says it’s your choice not the Government’s.”
Australian Democrats candidate for Hume Greg Butler said he is standing as an Australian Democrat to give the voters of Hume an alternative.
“The electorate is not happy with the past and present performance of Labor and Liberal,” Mr Butler said.
“The Australian Democrats, as a long established, reliable mainstream political party, is the only realistic alternative.”
The Greens candidate for Hume Kevin Watchirs said Hume voters want effective policies and real answers and says The Greens have the focus and progressive vision to provide these.
“The Greens in Hume are campaigning for an effective and principled response to climate change, transitioning to a low carbon economy and increased investment to meet the needs of our communities in education, health, employment and environmental sustainability,” Mr Watchirs said.
Federal Member for Hume Alby Shultz said the main issues in this election being reported to him by the people of Hume include improving rural health services, the provision of more rural doctors, the spiralling cost of electricity and gas prices, and deteriorating local infrastructure, rural road, bridges and community and sporting facilities.
“A coalition government has clear policies to address the issues,” Mr Shultz said.
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