When the West Vic Brolga spoke to people in Wendouree on Friday about what will swing their vote at late-November’s state election, it was all meat and potatoes: putting food on the table, keeping a roof over the head, ropey roads, accessing hospital care when needed, being inclusive, managing rapid growth.
A quick look: At the 2022 state election, there were about 50,000 people enrolled to vote in the Wendouree electorate, which includes the suburbs of Wendouree, Alfredton, Delacombe, Redan, Ballarat North, Sebastopol and Black Hill and areas in central Ballarat.
Wendouree replaced Ballarat West at the 2014 state election, and the seat has been held by Labor since 1999.
In 2022, Labor’s Juliana Addison had 47.6 percent of first preference votes, the Liberal candidate Samantha McIntosh 29.8 percent and Greens candidate Ellen Burns 10.4 percent.
Voters in their own words: The Brolga hit the streets and social media to ask people what mattered most.
Mathew Ramadan, Wendouree
“The biggest factor for me is which parties are deciding to do anything about easing the cost of living and housing. Both of our major parties have very right wing policies, and even the Greens have policies that at best are considered centre-left.”
He said he’ll be looking at minor parties that offer a “true progressive option for Ballarat locals” and would “never knowingly vote conservative ever”.
Jason Ferguson, Wendouree
“Potholes for one. I’m sick and tired of playing dodge the pothole.”
He added that train services are not up to scratch.
Lola, works near Ballarat CBD
“What matters to me the most is a community where people feel like they’re welcomed and looked after in our policies. I don’t want divisive policies, or a divisive system, where people aren’t getting the support they need because of who they are.”
She added that higher prices meant “everyone’s feeling the crunch, for sure”.
Lola agrees with some policies from the Greens, but said “so many [political parties] aren’t good”.
Megan Farhall, Ballarat
“As a Ballarat local, it’s the way the town goes with the building and the growth we've had in the last 10 or 15 years.”
She also mentioned the lack of inner-city parking and overcrowding issues at Ballarat Base Hospital.
“They are spending a lot of money upgrading it, but it’s not just enough for the growth of the population.”
What next? Juliana Addison is recontesting Wendouree for Labor. Gavin Ronan is running for the Liberal party, Stuart Robinson for One Nation and Ellen Burns for the Greens.
Australian Election Forecasts predicts Addison will retain the seat. It projects Ronan to attract about 27 percent of first preferences, Robinson 17 percent and Burns less than one percent.