Australian Prime Minister John Howard faces the risk of losing his own seat in the upcoming election, which would make him the first prime minister in 78 years to suffer such a defeat. Changes to electoral boundaries in his safe Sydney seat of Bennelong have made it more competitive, with a swing of around 4 percent needed to unseat him. The increasing number of 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 as he seeks a fifth term in office in the national election on Nov. 24. Some voters, including editor Jason Koh of the local Korean newspaper Hoju Donja, believe Howard has used divisive tactics like playing the "race card" in previous elections, which they do not support. In contrast to past elections, the opposition Labor party has selected a well-known candidate, Maxine McKew, a former television and news magazine journalist, to challenge Howard in the seat he has represented since 1974. Despite McKew being new to the electorate, she is currently leading in opinion polls and with betting agencies. Howard, recognizing the threat to his political career, has been actively campaigning in Bennelong, where he has been emphasizing to voters that their support is not guaranteed. Local residents have noted Howard's increased presence in the area, as he has been engaging with constituents on weekends and participating in community events. The Granny Smith Apple Festival last Saturday saw a lively atmosphere as both Howard and McKew made appearances, turning the typically calm event into a spirited election rally. Displaying signs and balloons, numerous supporters of both candidates engaged in a spirited debate. John Booth, the editor of The Weekly Times, noted that Howard's appearance at the festival after 21 years signifies the intensity of the upcoming election. Booth predicts that Howard will be defeated in the election, as even previous supporters 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 electorate stands out due to its significant Asian-Australian population, including 12,000 Chinese and 5,000 Koreans. Immigration and Australia-Asia relations are important topics in Bennelong, where half of the residents either were born overseas or have immigrant parents. Koh stated that Asian voters in Bennelong have not forgotten Howard's anti-immigration comments in 1988 and his government's efforts to gain support from Pauline Hanson's anti-immigration followers in the 2001 election. Koh believes that Howard has a history of using divide and rule tactics, causing suspicion among many people. In contrast, Booth mentioned that Labor has emphasized its Asian connections by showcasing a former state politician and his Asian wife, as well as leader Kevin Rudd who speaks Mandarin. Rudd's ability to converse fluently with Chinese President Hu Jintao during a recent summit in Sydney has gained him support from many Asian communities in the city. Koh added that the Korean and Chinese vote could potentially determine the outcome of the election between John Howard and Maxine McKew.