Cessnock deputy mayor Melanie Dagg was unveiled as the party’s representative, at a launch at Singleton on Wednesday, to face sitting Member Michael Johnsen (Nationals), Shooters, Fishers and Farmers’ Lee Watts, Greens’ Tony Lonergan and Richard Stretton (Christian Democrats) on March 23.

The mother-of-two replaces Muswellbrook’s Martin Rush, who withdrew from the race following an alleged incident of assault, which he categorically denied.

“It’s an unfortunate situation Labor has found itself in,” Mrs Dagg said.

“Martin’s delivered great things for his community, as mayor.

“But, he was also a fantastic hard-working candidate.

“In the end, he did what he felt was best for him and his family.”

Mrs Dagg, who’ll fight to put the local schools and hospitals ahead of the Nationals’ $2.2 billion splurge on Sydney stadiums, has lived all her life in the Hunter region. 

In fact, her family roots here stretch back over a century. 

The 34-year-old and her husband, Josh, are also raising their two daughters in the area.

Mr Dagg’s family has lived in the Upper Hunter for generations, too.

And, she’s passionate about education, health and securing better local services for the community.

“I’m proud to be Country Labor’s candidate for Upper Hunter,” Ms Dagg said.

“I’ve been talking to so many people across our community and everyone is in disbelief about the Liberal and Nationals $2.2 billion splurge on Sydney stadiums, while our schools and hospitals are missing out.

“I’ll be working hard every day to put the people of Upper Hunter first. 

“For eight years, the Nationals have put developers and the privatisation of public assets ahead of the education and health needs of our communities.

“Country Labor will properly fund our schools and hospitals and drive local infrastructure and job creation, not spend on vanity stadium projects in Sydney.

“We need to return power to communities, ease the cost of living, re-regulate electricity prices and protect local jobs by stopping the casualisation of our workforce and reinstating penalty rates.”

Mrs Dagg’s father and husband both work in the mining industry, so she understands the pressing need to secure more permanent jobs to drive economic growth across the Hunter region.

She’s committed to working with businesses and government to ensure that everyone in the Upper Hunter has the opportunity to get ahead in life.

As well as serving as a local councillor, Mrs Dagg juggles family, work, study and volunteering for sporting and community groups.

She knows well the pressures that families are under, and how stretched schools, hospitals and TAFE have become under eight years of the Liberal and Nationals government.

NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley said Mrs Dagg would be a strong advocate for the people of the Upper Hunter.

“Melanie is deeply involved in her community and appreciates why splurging $2.2 billion on Sydney stadiums is the wrong priority for people in the Hunter,” he explained.