Ready for one horse race

LABOR MP Anthony Byrne believes next month’s federal election will be a close call- but it appears his contest in the Holt electorate won’t be as tough.
As the race to the polls begins for the 21 August election, Mr Byrne looks set to retain the seat he has held since 1999, with no candidates confirmed as yet to contest Holt.
Mr Byrne said he was aware residents in his electorate experienced trouble accessing fast broadband internet and said Labor’s National Broadband Network would provide a world-class service for residents.
Mr Byrne said he agreed with Prime Minister Julia Gillard about a ‘sustainable’ Australia.
“People in suburbs like Cranbourne, Fountain Gate and Endeavour Hills want our cities to grow in a sustainable way, not an uncontrolled way, because this affects our quality of life,” Mr Byrne said.
La Trobe has always been a hotbed of high profile political visits as the campaign intensifies.
It is believed that the area will receive a visit or two from both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over the next four weeks to try and get their candidates over the line.
Sitting La Trobe MP Jason Wood has a battle on his hands with just a 0.05 per cent margin in his seat.
But he has accused Labor of bringing in outsiders to attempt to knock him off his perch. Mr Wood, a resident of the area for more than 40 years, believes the ALP continues to show little interest in La Trobe.
“This is the third election in a row they have brought someone in from town who has no idea about the local area,” he said.
“I know about the needs of the local community which is something on my side.”
The Labor candidate for La Trobe Laura Smyth has lived in Ferntree Gully since last year.
Laura Smyth will focus on three key issues affecting people across the country including health, education and infrastructure.
Ms Smyth said there were a lot of families in the electorate moving into the area where there was a serious shortage of doctors and nurses.
She would also concentrate on the need for trade centres across the electorate.
Greens candidate Jim Reiher will also keep the two major parties on their toes.