To this end she wants to see federal government taking a leadership role by committing funds to get the upgrades started. 

Ms Hodgkinson is waiting for her party to sign off on her candidacy, which she expects will happen next week.

Of all political parties, this has been the firmest statement of intent on the highway, one welcomed by the FIX IT NOW campaign. 

So far, FIX IT NOW has spoken to two prime ministers, the Deputy Prime Minister, Shadow Infrastructure Minister and NSW Roads Minister. The campaign has bent ears at the highest levels of government. It’s extracted from the Deputy PM Michael McCormack and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese a joint statement on bipartisanship to get the highway fixed.

All this in less than a year, but there’s a long way to go.

All sorts of statements and promises are made ahead of elections. What FIX IT NOW wants to see is some serious money put on the table by the federal government. There is one opportunity to do this – the early budget ahead of the May election. 

Ms Hodgkinson’s entry into the Gilmore fray might just see that happen. The Nationals traditionally hold the infrastructure portfolio and their leader, Mr McCormack, has already stated he wants to the Princes Highway become the top priority once the Pacific Highway works are completed. 

The intent is there – all we need is the commitment of cash to get the ball rolling. 

That cash needs to come from both Canberra and the NSW government. 

While Anthony Albanese and Labor candidate Fiona Phillips have made promising noises about the Princes Highway, the state opposition has been largely mute on the issue. We want NSW Labor to step up to the plate and state its intentions.

With Gilmore on the knife edge and NSW looking uncertain – the Kiama and South Coast electorates look pretty safe even though the government looks a little wobbly – all parties and independents need to get behind the FIX IT NOW campaign.

There’s never been a better chance for the outcome we want.