By Eleanor Wilson
Pre-poll voters at Akoonah Park on Tuesday 17 May held varying opinions when it came to the key political issues that would influence their vote, but there was also a strong sense of disillusionment in the air.
Candidates and party volunteers lined the pathway to the voting centre on the frosty May morning, handing out how to vote cards and trying to win the votes of passers by.
When it came to the issues that would decide locals’ votes, housing affordability, cost of living, medicare and aged care, the environment and infrastructure were all mentioned.
Voter Justin Smith, who said he was typically not a Liberal voter, decided to vote for the party as he believes it isn’t a suitable time for a change of government.
“I don’t like Morrison at all. I think he’s copped out of everything but I’m frightened that we’ve just got the country back together again and if we go to Labor they’ll change everything and we’ll go through another two years of absolute confusion before we get things going again,” he said.
“So it’s not who I want to vote for. It’s who I don’t want to vote for.
“I’ve got nothing against Labor, it’s just that we don’t need a change right now.”
Fellow voter Suba Abeyratne said infrastructure was among the most pressing issues for her.
“Though it’s a developed country, I find the traffic is always very congested. The Monash Freeway is crazy,” she said.
“To [get to] work, it’s a 30-minute drive for me but it takes more than an hour sometimes.”
Loyal Labor voter Peter said Medicare and aged care were the issues he cared about, adding he was yet to be swayed by Liberal policies.
Trying his best to win the votes of locals like Peter was Liberal candidate James Moody, who was present throughout the day alongside Liberal Democrats candidate Christine Skrobo, Greens candidate Matthew Kirwan and United Australia Party candidate Matt Babet.
“Obviously now it’s the business end of it and we’ve had some really good feedback to be honest,” Mr Moody said.
“I think there’s a lot of people who are particularly keen for change locally in Bruce so there’s a lot of people jumping on board that wouldn’t have in the past.”
He said a lack of support for local community groups and mishandling of the Covid pandemic may sway the electorate away from incumbent MP Julian Hill.
Bruce has been considered a safe Labor seat since 1996 and currently leads with a margin of 7.3 per cent, which is considered ’fairly safe’ by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Mr Hill noted the recent redistribution of the electorate cut Labor’s leading margin by half, and said he takes “nothing for granted.“
“Its pretty clear people have made up their minds. There’s very few people walking through saying they don’t know who they’re going to vote for,“ Mr Hill said.
Campaigning at the Dandenong voting centre on Tuesday, Mr Hill said he hoped voters would consider that “the Liberal government has done nothing for the community over the last few years.
“They’ve provided no election commitments to the local area, no care and no concern,“ he said.
But Greens candidate Matthew Kirwan said the electorate was ready for change.
“It’s very clear the days of Bruce being a safe Labor seat where you can expect the majority of people to vote Labor or Liberal are definitely gone,” he said.
“There are so many people who are looking for an alternative and we’re finding that it is with the United Australia Party and the Greens.“
Pre-poll voting at Akoonah Park is open from 8am to 6pm on Thursday 19 May and 8am to 6pm on Friday 20 May.
