 By late 1994, aircraft noise from Sydney Airport was emerging as a major issue to contend with, with the closure of the east–west runway placing pressure on Easson and other MPs representing areas surrounding the airport, while she also faced pressure over a controversial government decision to expand woodchip exports.In the leadup to the 1996 election, the aircraft noise issue became an increasingly dominant issue; she was "pushed to the forefront" of the debate, but was prevented from crossing the floor to support a John Howard-written amendment that would have reopened the east–west runway and reduced noise in her electorate.The "Sydney Morning Herald" wrote that the Labor Party had "helped and cruelled her prospects", but that she was "unlikely to resist the backlash on noise".