Labor's two preselection hopefuls have come out swinging at Mrs Gash, ahead of an ALP ballot on Saturday that will decide their political fate.

Labor's push to seize the marginal seat gained new life last week after the ascension of Julia Gillard triggered a huge bounce in the polls.

Front runner Neil Reilly, a Kiama councillor, is confident he has the numbers to edge out Callala Beach real estate agent Glenn Sims in a grassroots vote after the unexpected withdrawal of controversial former candidate David Boyle.

Should he win the ballot, Mr Reilly will set his sights on swinging voters, who hold the key to breaking Mrs Gash's 14-year run in office. He conceded the MP had a workhorse reputation, but insisted she worked hard in the wrong direction.

"She focuses on local issues that she can't have an influence on, and state issues that she can't have an influence on, but in a federal sense she has dropped the ball," he said.

Mr Reilly denounced Mrs Gash's campaign for upgrades to the Princes Hwy, a State Government-controlled road, while failing to secure federal black-spot funding.

Mrs Gash defended her pursuit of matters across all levels of government. "I will help anyone. Regardless of whether it's a local, state or federal issue, I will guide them in the right direction," she said.

She cited $2.6 billion funding she has drawn to the electorate since 1996, including $34 million for the Kiama bypass and $20 million for dual carriageways from South Nowra to the Jervis Bay turn-off.

Meantime, Mr Sims has described 65-year-old Mrs Gash as "stale". "I'm 53 - I have the energy, passion and vigour to represent the electorate and do that tirelessly," he said.

"Much as people say Joanna is a very good representative, at her age she doesn't have the energy of a younger person."

Mr Sims said the preselection ballot could go his way. "I don't think Neil has the level of support he thinks he does."

Mrs Gash laughed off talk of being too old, saying: "I'll take them on at the gym any day."