Australian leader John Howard is at risk of losing his seat in the upcoming election, which would make him the first prime minister to do so in almost 80 years. Changes to the electoral boundaries in his safe Sydney seat of Bennelong have made it more competitive, with a swing of 4 percent enough to defeat him. The increase in Asian migrants in the area, particularly Chinese and Koreans, is also seen as a challenge for Howard, who is seeking a fifth term in office. Some voters believe Howard has used the "race card" in previous elections, particularly with his stance on boatpeople, which helped him win in 2004. In contrast to past elections, the opposition Labor party has selected a well-known figure, former journalist Maxine McKew, to challenge long-time incumbent Howard in the seat he has held since 1974. Despite McKew's recent move to the area, she is currently ahead of Howard in polls and with betting agencies. Howard is aware of the threat to his political career and has been actively engaging with voters in Bennelong, where he has been spending more time and attending community events. The Granny Smith Apple Festival last Saturday became a lively political event when both Howard and McKew made appearances. Hundreds of supporters of both candidates participated in a vocal battle, brandishing placards and balloons. According to John Booth, editor of The Weekly Times, this was the first time in 21 years that Howard had attended the festival. Booth believes that Howard is feeling the pressure and is in danger of losing his seat, as even people who voted for him last time are now calling for a change. Bennelong, named after a prominent Aboriginal figure in Australian history, encompasses some of Sydney's affluent northern suburbs. Initially a conservative, middle-class electorate, it has evolved over time to include more working-class Labor suburbs to the west. The key issues in Bennelong mirror those of the national campaign, such as economic management, the Iraq war, climate change, and new workplace laws. However, the seat stands out due to its significant Asian-Australian population, with 12,000 Chinese and 5,000 Koreans. Immigration and Australia-Asia relations are crucial topics in Bennelong, where half of the residents were either born overseas or have immigrant parents. Koh pointed out that Bennelong's Asian voters have not forgotten Howard's 1988 anti-immigration comments while in opposition, as well as his government's efforts to gain support from Pauline Hanson's anti-immigration supporters in the 2001 election. Koh stated that Howard has a history of using divide and rule tactics, which has made many people suspicious. In contrast, Booth mentioned that Labor has highlighted 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 have a fluent conversation with Chinese President Hu Jintao at a recent summit in Sydney has earned him support from many Asian communities in the city. Koh also noted that the Korean and Chinese vote could be influential in determining the winner between John Howard and Maxine McKew in the election.