Ross Peake June 10, 2013
Liberal candidates Elizabeth Lee and Tom Sefton. Photo: Katherine Griffiths
For these two people, the phrase ''uphill battle'' just doesn't do justice to the task in front of them.
But Elizabeth Lee and Tom Sefton are giving it their best shot as they take on Fortress Labor.
They are standing for the Liberal Party in the ACT's two lower house seats - Fraser and Canberra. Both seats are held by Labor MPs - Andrew Leigh and Gai Brodtmann - on very healthy margins.
In fact, Canberra's House of Representative seats are among the safest in the country.
With fewer than 100 days to the federal election, the Liberals might have their backs to the wall - but nationally Liberal Party support is surging, suggesting a landslide win for Tony Abbott on September 14.
Ms Lee and Mr Sefton stood in the ACT Legislative Assembly election. Their dual nomination for the federal election gives the Liberal Party two candidates with campaign experience and a good sense of what to say - or not. Their campaigns revolve about cost-of-living pressures, the carbon tax and improved services.
Braving chilly weather for a photo shoot, they were reluctant to prescribe Mr Abbott's domestic arrangements after the election.
''It's up to him whether he lives in the Lodge or not,'' Mr Sefton said.
Ms Lee, a university lecturer, is clear about the challenge to win the seat of Fraser but is undaunted.
''It is a difficult task, but no victory comes out of doing something easy so we're going to put everything we've got into it and make sure that we can do the best we can,'' she said.
Asked about the impact on Canberra of Mr Abbott's plans to reduce the public service by 12,000 through natural attrition, Ms Lee said she was focused on Canberra having the best possible services.
''The heart of the nation is in Canberra and we need to make sure that we have a robust local economy to make sure that we are able to move forward and progress,'' she said.
Mr Sefton said he was not concerned about the prospect of cuts to Canberra.
''The Liberals have always done very well at building confidence in the government, in the economy and building up Canberra,'' he said.
Mr Sefton, a public servant and former commando in Afghanistan, said he would like the seat of Canberra on the city's south side to move from safe to marginal.
''Marginal seats get better treatment and I think Labor's taken a safe seat for granted, we haven't achieved the same level of recognition or support that we should despite being a safe Labor seat,'' he said.
He has no doubt Mr Abbott will win and prove to be an excellent prime minister.
''He respects Canberra, he's spent a lot of time here in Canberra and he wants to see a strong, good Australian government,'' Mr Sefton said.
Voters will be hearing a lot more from the Liberal duo as the formal campaign period approaches.
Both will take leave to campaign full-time and will be joined by Senate candidate, Zed Seselja, whose chances of election are far greater.
However, the profile lift from the federal campaign could prompt these Liberals to stand at the next Legislative Assembly election.
Ross Peake is a senior reporter for The Canberra Times
