Gladys Berejiklian talks up Tuckerman's campaign

It came after a visit in January when she announced a further $30 million for Goulburn Base Hospital's upgrade, and another last week when she dished out a $10m allocation for the city's aquatic centre redevelopment.

The Premier declined to say whether she was nervous about losing Saturday's election to Labor. The recent You Galaxy poll puts Labor and Liberal at 50:50 on a two-party preferred basis in the Goulburn electorate.

"It's very important for people to know I don't take them for granted and that I really want Wendy to be a voice in government," Ms Berejiklian told The Post.

"I always have confidence that the people get it right and I think in this electorate they will feel quite satisfied with what we've done recently and what we've started. I want to finish the job, whether that's the hospital, the road upgrade or other projects. The job is not done."

Her comments came as a Queensland MP and former Alby Schultz staffer, Jason Costigan predicted the Liberals would lose Goulburn.

During the Premier's visit on Wednesday she reiterated that if a Director of Public Prosecutions appeal failed on the recent quashing of inmate Bassam Hamzy's 20-month sentence for bashing a prison guard, the Coalition would amend laws if re-elected. 

This would address any loophole, giving correctional officers the "full protection of the law." 

"I want to reassure our correctional officers that we back them to the hilt," she said.

However, her Corrections Minister David Elliott had announced the same reform earlier this month.

The Premier visited local hairdresser Julie Handley and her family to spruik the government's Energy Switch program, which will allow people to source cheaper gas bills through Service NSW from May. The scheme already applies to electricity bills.

There were no big funding announcements but the Premier said investment in this region would continue if the Coalition was re-elected. 

"Yes, we are playing catch-up on infrastructure (in the regions) but we have an opportunity to get ahead of the curve and think about more jobs growth because the opportunities here are endless given the proximity to Sydney and Canberra. It puts Goulbun in a very unique position," she said.

As for fast rail, Ms Berejiklian said expert, Professor Andrew McNaughton was due to report back soon on the best option. The government appointed him last December to explore four routes, including Sydney to Canberra, train speeds and station locations. 

"I a firm believer that if we don't start fast rail now, it will never happen," the Premier said. 

"You have to start somewhere and we're now in a strong financial position to do it, even if it's done in stages."

Last weekend the government announced it would invest $80m to straighten the tracks on the Sydney to Canberra route. Much of this would concentrate on the Menangle to Yerrinbool section, which MP Pru Goward said was the slowest part.

Ms Goward said Mr McNaughton had advised that this work was essential if tilt trains were to have any chance on the line.

Transport, health and water health and security have emerged as key issues across the electorate.

As the campaign winds down, the Premier is talking up candidate Wendy Tuckerman's credentials. On Wednesday she rejected suggestions there was lingering unrest about the selection process and the lack of members' say.

"We'll always put forward who we think is the best person for the job and Wendy, by far, is outstanding in every way; she's a community voice, a farmer and has experience in local government," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she hadn't heard of any disaffection and Mrs Tuckerman told The Post she'd been "overwhelmed" by the support.

But that's not everyone's view. Whitsundays independent MP and Sky News political commentator Jason Costigan told The Post the Liberal vote in Goulburn was "about to take a whack."

Mr Costigan was an electoral officer for former State Burrinjuck MP, the late Alby Schultz, who went on to become Federal MP for Hume. Mr Costigan was also an adviser to former Prime Minister John Howard and Senator George Brandis.

He said he was still very good friends with the Schultz family and Alby would have been disgusted with the way his son Grant's pre-selection in the federal seat of Gilmore was overridden by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in favour of Warren Mundine.

"Alby was always someone who wanted the members to have a say but the Libs have shafted Grant," Mr Costigan said. 

He believed members had been similarly alienated in Goulburn with Mrs Tuckerman's selection. This had resulted in a person with "poor name recognition in Goulburn and the Southern Highlands."

"You just can't put someone in, put up a corflute and expect them to win," Mr Costigan said.

"...It's becoming increasingly apparent that Gladys Berejiklian is facing the prospect of losing Goulburn. Why else would you be stumping up $80m in the last weeks of the campaign for rail? The internal polling is telling them they'll lose the seat for the first time since 1965."

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