THE campaigning is done and judgment day has come for Wagga’s six election hopefuls.
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The electorate will go to the polls today, with incumbent Liberals MP Daryl Maguire vying for a fifth term in office.
His main challenger comes in the form of Country Labor’s Dan Hayes, while Kevin Poynter (Greens), Keith Pech (Christian Democratic Party), Joe Sidoti (No Land Tax Party) and Paul Funnell (Independent) are also vying to become the next member for Wagga.
Mr Maguire, who has held the seat since 1999, said he wasn’t taking anything for granted ahead of election day.
“I’m working hard to get every vote I can and talk about our policies,” he said.
“I won’t stop until six o’clock.”
Though Labor has not won the seat since 1957, Mr Hayes was hopeful he could have an impact at the ballot box and improve Labor’s primary vote from the 10.1 per cent the party received in 2011.
“I certainly entered this with the intent of winning – I’m not just here to make up numbers,” he said.
“The best result would be to win by one vote, the second best would be to lose by one. We can’t remain a safe seat.”
Four years ago, independent Joe McGirr captured the attention of the electorate, winning close to 40 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote.
This time around, Mr Funnell, while circumspect about his chances, is hoping for that independent vote to remain strong.
“We’re certainly looking for the independent vote, plus disgruntled Coalition and ALP voters,” he said.
“It’s going to be very difficult because people consider the hospital issue dealt with.”
In the neighbouring electorates of Cootamundra and Murray – new seats created by a redistribution taking place at this election – Nationals MPs Katrina Hodgkinson and Adrian Piccoli will be aiming to hold onto their seats in parliament.
Voters today will also have their say on the make-up of the upper house, with 21 of 42 seats up for grabs.
Polling places across the state open at 8am today and will close at 6pm.
Where to vote
- Adelong Services and Citizens Club
- Ashmont Public School
- Batlow Literary Institute Hall
- Brungle Memorial Hall
- Collingullie Public School
- Currawarna Community Centre
- Forest Hill Public School
- Glenfield Park Scout Hall
- Charles Sturt University – Joyes Hall
- Kooringal Public School
- Ladysmith Public School
- Lake Albert Public School
- Lockhart Central School
- Lutheran School Wagga
- Mangoplah Community Hall
- Mount Austin Public School
- North Wagga Public School
- Pleasant Hills Public School
- South Wagga Public School
- Sturt Public School
- Sydney Town Hall
- Talbingo Public School
- Tarcutta Memorial Hall
- The Rock Community Hall
- Tolland Public School
- Tumut High School
- Tumut Public School
- Turvey Park Public School
- Uranquinty Public School
- Wagga Wesley Church Hall
- Wagga Women’s Bowling Club
- Yerong Creek Public School