This week the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull outlined a rough timeline for a Federal election.

It’s looking like an August election, with many experts saying a winter election encourages people to what they consider to be “safe’’ choices.

Whether you believe that or not, there will be an election.

This editor doesn’t as yet profess to be an expert in local politics - we’ll leave that to the Illawarra Mercury’s very own Andrew Pearson.

And waving a particular flag for one party has never really appealed, personally.

As the editor of a regional masthead, we should be examining closely what both parties are offering in the way of election policies/promises and letting the reader decide for themselves, while holding local candidates to account.

Yet, what is clear is this region has been neglected and not given the attention it deserves from any Federal Government in recent times.

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard (accompanied by a resigned sigh) “well, we’re a safe Labor seat aren’t we’’.

That kind of defeatist attitude is bewildering.

Having lived and worked in a marginal, swinging electorate (with only a small portion of the Illawarra’s population) for most of the 40-odd years on this earth, the difference is proven.

A pristine, four-lane highway between two cities of 20,000 people each which makes the motorway from the Illawarra to Sydney look like a goat track.

The only Federally funded hospital in the entire country.

Those things came from a community standing up and holding their Federal representatives to account.

There is a lesson to be learned.

It’s time to make Canberra listen.