Labor has its eyes squarely on the March state election as it looks set to cruise to two by-election victories in NSW.

People in Newcastle and Charlestown, in the state’s Hunter region, are voting on Saturday to find replacements for ex-Liberal MPs Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell.

The pair quit parliament in August after making damning admissions to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) about banned donations they received.

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Labor is widely tipped to pick up both seats and the Liberals aren’t running candidates in what NSW party director Tony Nutt describes as an act of “atonement”.

ALP candidate for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp hoped his expected victory would give Labor momentum for the March general election.

“It’s about trying to engage people and convince them that Labor is back,” he told reporters outside Hamilton South Public School before casting his vote.

“If victorious today and it’s a resounding victory, I certainly hope it does send a message to (Premier) Mike Baird who said he’d come back here and win back the trust of the people.

“We haven’t seen hide or hair of him.”

Opposition Leader John Robertson was with Mr Crakanthorp handing out how-to-vote victories.

“A lot of people are very frustrated that the Liberal Party hasn’t turned up despite the fact that they’ve called this by-election,” he said.

“There is a high level of frustration for many people who’ve been dragged out today because of the behaviour we saw at ICAC.”

Leader of the Christian Democratic Party Reverend Fred Nile, who is also in Newcastle, claims the Liberal Party are secretly running “shadow candidates” in both seats.

“(That’s) disappointing given the premier announced, because of being ashamed, they weren’t going to nominate candidates here,” he said.

“If that’s true, then the party machine should not be involved in the by-elections as they appear to be from my observation.”

When pressed on the issue Mr Nile was unable to name the alleged “shadow Liberals”.

In Charlestown, Labor’s candidate Jodie Harrison said she was focused on restoring trust and integrity in NSW politics.

“I’ll be working very hard between now and March to be re-elected in March,” the Lake Macquarie mayor said.

Mining magnate turned federal MP Clive Palmer may make an appearance in Newcastle on Saturday to campaign for two Palmer United Party (PUP) backed independents Jennifer Stefanac and Suellen Wrightson.

The pair aren’t officially running as PUP candidates as the party missed a deadline to register itself for the 2015 election.

Prominent businesswomen Karen Howard and Jacqueline Haines and are the only standout Newcastle independents running.

Greens councillor and civil engineer, Michael Osborne, is also expected to attract a decent amount of support in the seat.

AAP