Tamworth's pub test jury casts judgement at campaign midway point

The country watched far less of Anthony Albanese in week three of the campaign, with the opposition leader stuck at home, struck down with COVID-19.

But most of the panel agreed that his positive status probably won't prove a negative for the party.

Week three was also the first time voters got their first look at the actual individual candidates standing for the seat of New England.

Most of the Leader's pub test panel have yet to decide who will get their first vote, and are at least considering an independent candidate.

Dwone Jones, business owner, 55:

Dwone said the moment of the week was a bit of a Freudian slip.

He said the Nationals got his attention - for all the wrong reasons, by "revealing what we knew all along - that Scott Morrison's net zero by 2050 promise was never serious".

The party's candidate for the Queensland resources seat of Flynn, Colin Boyce, told the ABC there was "wiggle room" in the government's commitment, saying theirs was a "flexible plan" that wasn't enshrined in legislation.

Queensland Senator and pro-coal backbench firebrand Matt Canavan added fuel to the furnace by declaring net zero is "essentially dead" in any case.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison later clarified that their view was not the party position of the National party, the Liberal party or the government.

Dwone has yet to decide who to vote for, and said he's considering all eight candidates as options, but the carbon clash cannot have helped the government's chances with swing voters like him.

"My major issues this week are Tamworth's long-term water security and climate change, which are essentially related. Climate change has certainly been addressed this week," he said.

Nicole Schafer, teacher, 47:

Nicole believes Albo's week off hasn't hurt the party's chances - in fact it may even have helped.

She said it was a great opportunity for Labor's second-string leaders, who "are continuing to challenge Scomo".

"I was interested to see how other Labor candidates stepped in for Albo and did relatively well," she said.

"In fact, I didn't actually miss Albo.

"I enjoyed a bit of variety in the commentary!"

In terms of the issues that will sway her vote, she said she wants to know what local candidates are going to secure for the New England region.

"Parties' willingness to reach zero emissions is STILL at the forefront of my concerns because I have three children who will have to navigate a safe passage through the environmental disaster to come (if nothing is taken seriously by us now)," she said.

"I would like to know how each party proposes to upskill Australians so that our labour skill shortage can be fixed long term."

Nicole said the electorate might get more attention, financially, if it ceases to be a safe government seat and is "definitely considering" a vote for an independent.

Bryson Shepherdson, plant mechanic, 25:

Bryson said both parties were "on par for performance so far".

The Tamworth local remains undecided, but said the prime minister's "general unpopularity will see him undone, regardless of his policies and promises".

In his mind, the biggest shift in the election in week three was some positive news on energy.

With both parties talking up government backing for hydrogen as a new energy source, the mechanic said he was "excited to see other energy sources being funded.".

"Gas in the Northern Territory will be a job boom, good for the Northern Territory local and national economy," he said.

"Good to see coal exports still being supported.

"These are a massive part of our income.

"Interested to how the net zero debate plays out while on the topic of energy."

The territory Labor government and the coalition federal government inked a joint $872 million deal to finance gas production in the Beetaloo Basin, which is about 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin.

Just two days before going into caretaker mode, the federal government committed to spend $660 million on the scheme.

Kate Hoffman, art gallery owner, 42:

Kate accused the prime minister of trying to distract the country with a "diversion tactic" by bringing up legislation proposing to ban transgender women from sport.

She said it "seems like a diversion tactic at best, and a willingness to encourage harmful bias at worst."

"There are so many critical issues facing our nation and transgender women playing sport is just not one of them. In fact, I'm pretty sure the local hockey or netball team would just be glad to have another player on board!"

Kate said she wants to hear more about the development of transmission infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy, and a plan to support "our inevitable transition to electric vehicles".

At a local level, she was slightly more sceptical of independent and minor candidates than most of the pub test team.

"I would consider voting for a minor party, but I'll be having a close look at what those independents and small parties stand for, and whether they are connected to other organisations in any way," she said.

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