ALBURY MP Greg Aplin splurged more than $50,000 safe-guarding his Liberal stronghold at the most recent NSW election.
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The outlay was substantially more than first-time Labor candidate and Albury deputy mayor Ross Jackson.
Mr Aplin safely held the seat he has occupied since 2003, but his previous margin of 27.1 per cent was cut in half by Cr Jackson.
The Liberal MP's biggest spend was $43,005 on advertising including $33,557 with Wodonga-based consultancy, Dutch Media.
The disclosure of political donations and expenditure for the election held earlier this year was released by the NSW Electoral Commission on Monday night.
Mr Aplin also spent $5225 with pollster Crosby Textor Group which has been used by the Liberal Party in the 2010 and 2013 federal election campaigns.
Crosby Textor was also the campaign strategist on the successful successful Boris Johnson London mayoral campaign seven years ago.
Mr Aplin spent a further $4493 on production and distribution of election material.
Records show Mr Aplin donated $2460 to his own campaign.
In comparison, Mr Jackson spent $2222 on advertising including $954 on Facebook.
He spent $3472.50 on production and distribution of election material.
Mr Jackson's campaign was boosted by $5127 in donations at the annual Harold Mair dinner held in late January.
At the same function $1100 was donated by Yackandandah-based business, A Bears Old Wares.
Mr Aplin said his spend on the campaign was in line with previous elections.
Additional advertising was required to counter what he felt was favourable coverage for his opponent.
"It would only be marginally more (than the last election) and reflects a larger area after a redistribution," he said.
"There is also new media which was incorporated into the campaign.
"There was also more head office expenses we encountered as well.
"We also don't benefit from any statewide advertising because we are part of a Victorian market."
Mr Jackson was unavailable for comment, but campaign director Darren Cameron said his candidate performed above expectations.
"Pound for pound, dollar for dollar this is a thrashing for Mr Aplin and the Liberal Party," he said.
"Given he spent so much money and still lost 14 per cent of the vote goes to show the tide is turning against the Liberals in Albury electorate.
"One wonders if the promised upgrade of the Riverina Highway will match the bold schedule trumpeted by Mr Aplin during the election."
