Twitter is transforming the way political candidates reach out to voters, and Wollongong Liberal hopeful Michelle Blicavs has embraced the tool with more enthusiasm than most.
With the state poll less than three months away, the 39-year-old tweets an average six times a day - updating followers on everything from her bid to unseat sitting MP Noreen Hay to the minute details of her post-Christmas lethargy.
"People get to know who the real me is," Mrs Blicavs said.
"If something is annoying me I might tweet about that, or today I tweeted that I was being a couch potato watching West Wing series four.
"I let people know where I am and what I'm doing as far as campaigning goes … it's a good way to connect with people I wouldn't usually meet."
The new-media devotee has 777 Twitter followers, and has posted 4856 times since she joined the service two years ago.
Kiama Liberal candidate Gareth Ward, who has 1700 Facebook followers, said new media was a vital way to "link in" with the young and tech-savvy.
"It's important that a local representative is making sure they hear and represent the views of the electorate, and it doesn't matter if you're on a street corner or online," he said.
"You can come home and upload where you've gone, and ask questions of followers on what they think on an issue."
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell is an avid Twitter user, despite a series of embarrassing gaffes, including an incident in July when his reference to Prime Minister Julia Gillard as "the ranga" was accidentally sent to 3500 followers.
Mr O'Farrell yesterday outlined the NSW Coalition's master plan for the state should it win power on March 26, pledging to define and administer the government's big-project priorities through a new body, Infrastructure NSW.
"For too long essential road infrastructure like the M5 widening and the M4 East have been projects Labor has promised to deliver but never started - that failed and incompetent way of running government is going to change," he said.
Keira Liberal hopeful John Dorahy last week hit the streets to deliver his campaign message the old-school way.
The former Illawarra Steelers captain will take leave from his position as a business director in February and March to focus on his bid to defeat Labor candidate Ryan Park.
"I've had street stalls and the opportunity to stand outside various businesses and hand out leaflets and answer questions … each of those have been very positive," he said.
"People have said we really need change. They say 'I like the fact that you're a fresh face and have business experience, you understand my needs and understand the needs of the hospital and health system and transport'."
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