Australian leader John Howard is facing the risk of losing his seat in the upcoming election, which would make him the first prime minister to do so in nearly eight decades. Changes to the electoral boundaries in his safe Sydney seat of Bennelong have made it more competitive, with a swing of around 4 percent needed to defeat him. The increase in Asian migrants in the area, particularly Chinese and Koreans who now make up 20 percent of voters, is also seen as a challenge for Howard, who is seeking a fifth term in office. Some voters believe that Howard's past use of the "race card" in elections, particularly with his stance on boatpeople, is not the type of leadership that is needed. In this election, the opposition Labor party has selected a well-known candidate, former journalist Maxine McKew, to challenge long-time incumbent Howard in the seat he has held since 1974. McKew, who recently moved into the area, is currently ahead of Howard in polls and with betting agencies. Howard, realizing the challenge he faces in his own constituency, has been actively campaigning in Bennelong, meeting with residents and attending local events. The Granny Smith Apple Festival last Saturday became a lively election rally with both Howard and McKew in attendance. Carrying signs and balloons, many supporters of both candidates engaged in a loud confrontation. John Booth, the editor of the local newspaper The Weekly Times, noted that this was the first time in 21 years that Howard had participated in the festival. Booth believes that Howard is facing tough competition and may lose his seat, as even previous supporters are now calling for a change. The suburb of Bennelong, named after a prominent Aboriginal figure in Australian history, is located in Sydney's affluent northern suburbs. Initially a conservative, middle-class electorate, the area has evolved over time to include more working-class Labor suburbs to the west. Issues concerning economic management, the Iraq war, climate change, and workplace laws are important in Bennelong, much like in the national campaign. However, the presence of a significant number of Asian-Australian voters, including 12,000 Chinese and 5,000 Koreans, sets Bennelong apart. Immigration and Australia-Asia relations are key concerns in this diverse electorate, where half of the residents were either born overseas or have immigrant parents. Koh mentioned that Asian voters in Bennelong still remember Howard's anti-immigration comments in 1988 and his government's efforts to gain support from Pauline Hanson's anti-immigration supporters in the 2001 election. He highlighted Howard's history of using divisive tactics, which has made many people suspicious. In contrast, Booth pointed out that Labor has emphasized its Asian connections by showcasing a former state politician and his Asian wife, as well as leader Kevin Rudd, who is fluent in Mandarin. Rudd's ability to converse with Chinese President Hu Jintao at a recent summit in Sydney has earned him support from the Asian communities in the city. Koh added that the Korean and Chinese vote could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election between John Howard and Maxine McKew.