The Labor charm offensive was revealed in two emails mistakenly sent to the Newcastle Herald yesterday by a staffer from Ports Minister Joe Tripodi's office.

"The Powers That Be have requested all ministers to visit the Central Coast and Wollongong between August 11 and August 22 (during the Olympics)," one of the emails warned other government staffers.

"Can I get story ideas for these locations?"

Two staffers were told: "I know Wollongong would be good for another ports announcement but perhaps we can go down and push Shop Trading Hours again? Is there anything new to announce?"

Two minutes later, another email, also from Mr Tripodi's office, said: "Another request. Upstairs wants ideas for radio ring arounds for the Premier. They want new stats or research announcements."

Labor has been hit hard in the Illawarra following the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry that led to the sacking of Wollongong City Council.

A Mercury survey post-ICAC found Wollongong MP Noreen Hay and the Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell had each dropped about 13 percentage points since the last state election.

Ms Hay has been under continual siege. The Mercury revealed last week a former Wollongong councillor's claim Ms Hay arranged a meeting, also attended by disgraced Wollongong developer Frank Vellar, to help pressure the councillor into overturning a decision on the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion. Ms Hay maintains the matter has been dealt with by ICAC.

The Central Coast has been hitting the headlines because of the Iguanas nightclub incident.

When Mr Tripodi's office became aware of its mistake, requests were sent to the original recipients asking for both messages to be recalled.

With the Government fighting controversies on any number of fronts, the call for ideas from staffers gives an insight into the way Premier Morris Iemma and his team run the state.