The Coalition has former Labor Left spear-thrower Martin Ferguson slinging mud at Labor for opposing power industry privatisation but now the former Liberal leader John Hewson has come out warning of the influence big corporations can have over politicians and public policy.
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Hewson has sent out messages spruiking on behalf of GetUp! for people to join up to a green energy retailer, Powershop, that started in Victoria but is poised to move into NSW.
Hewson said the renewable energy industry had been the victim of a vicious offensive by the Coalition and had been forced to accept a huge cut to the renewable energy target.
He was attacking the federal Coalition - but coming in the middle of a NSW election campaign being fought over the sale of poles and wires, Hewson is the yin to Ferguson's yang.
"The dirty energy companies might want to protect their huge investments in coal, gas and coal seam gas, but we can - right now - stop them in their tracks," Hewson said.
"As a former leader of the Liberal Party I've seen first-hand the undue influence big corporations can have over politicians and public policy. It's time to shift the balance away from the big energy companies and their dirty and expensive power habits to Australian consumers who want cheaper and cleaner power."
Making a mockery
There is one thing that Mike Baird and Luke Foley are in lockstep on: this election is vital to the future of NSW.
But sportsbet.com.au seems to regard it in less serious terms.
On Thursday, the bookmaker opened an array of novelty markets for election day.
Both leaders are tipped to wear traditional party colours with Baird going for a blue tie ($1.20) and Foley red ($1.40).
The bookmaker is offering odds of $101 for Baird to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or $21 on going for a swim with Tony Abbott on Sunday morning.
Foley is a $51 chance to visit Taronga Zoo or $101 to take the children to Wet 'N Wild.
Sportsbet.com.au thinks it will be all over by 8pm on Saturday night.
The lowest odds for the victory speech are $4.50 at 8.01pm; the bookmaker is offering $4 on the concession speech being made in the half hour after 8.01pm too.
Clearly the bookie thinks the winner's speech will be brief.
Having stuck with a Baird win all year, sportsbet.com.au thought there was only one contest in which Foley had a chance.
"Unfortunately for Foley, beating Baird to the polling booth looks like the only race he can win on Saturday," said sportsbet.com.au's Will Byrne
Wait listed
Healthcare in Mount Druitt was unexpectedly put under the spotlight when the Greens candidate Brent Robertson collapsed at a pre-poll site on Wednesday afternoon.
Labor candidate Edmond Atalla called triple zero and Liberal candidate Olivia Lloyd notified his family as he lay on the ground.
The ambulance took 22 minutes to arrive.
Robertson said he did not wish to be the focus of attention.
"I'm OK. It was a just a seizure. Grand mal," he said.
"The trouble in Mount Druitt is that Labor closed the emergency unit and the Liberals closed the cardiac unit. We've been left with little more than a medical centre."
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