Pm's Rookies Off The Bench For Election Season Tilt

CAPTAIN-COACH Howard is totally focused in the grand final, played out in ballot boxes across the nation about October. At the start of the election-year season he's strengthened his team's weak spots and tossed out players he judges aren't of use to him.

Seniors' Mark On Poll Call

NEWCASTLE'S seniors will have more power at the ballot box than ever in the March 24 state election with over-65s making up one-fifth of the city's eligible voters .

Time To Get Tougher On Crime - Again

With a NSW election looming, political parties will again jockey to appear "toughest" on law and order. Past elections have featured a law and order "auction" or "bidding war", typically involving promises to provide more police, heavier jail sentences and more prisons. Whether such promises provide greater community safety and protection against crime is seen as largely irrelevant. The aim is to appear "tough", on the assumption that this will be popular at the ballot box.