The quiet Australians: How Sturt bellwether booth of Norwood West will decide the election

Home to unwavering supporters from both sides of politics, swing voters and young people hold the balance of power in this eastern suburbs polling booth.

It’s home to large groups of both Labor and Liberal stalwarts but in the past four federal elections the bellwether polling booth of Norwood West has picked the eventual winner.

Given these polarised views, its swing voters and younger residents may hold the balance of power and decide the outcome for the federal seat of Sturt.

With a median age of 39, a relatively high median weekly income and high rate – 43 per cent – of tertiary qualifications, the inner eastern suburb has swung in favour of the last four federal governments.

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While the overwhelming majority of staunch Liberal voters seems to be unwavering in the area, younger voters may tip the scales in the upcoming election.

Carmen Dupree and Joshua Frost, 21, will vote in their first federal election this year, and said they were considering voting for Labor or the Greens.

“I’ve been speaking with a bunch of friends our age and they're all thinking to vote Greens,” Ms Dupree said.

“I don’t feel like my votes going to affect things that much anyway, it’s just going to be bad either way.”

Carmen Dupree and Joshua Frost, Norwood West voters. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Local electrician Matt Downie said he was formerly a Liberal voter but was considering changing his vote this election.

“I’m undecided and haven’t had too much of a chance to think about it, but it feels like there has been a lot of broken promises by the government,” Mr Downie said.

Matt Downie, Norwood West voter. Picture: Jason Katsaras

These voices were matched by Liberal voters affirming Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s time in government.

Local father Alecs Kastadinovic, 52, said he considered himself a swing voter but admired the PM’s work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There’s lot of mud slinging going on and I think Labor are limited on charisma,” Mr Kastadinovic said.

“ScoMo has pushed us through challenging times.”

Alecs Kastadinovic, Norwood West voter. Picture: Jason Katsaras

The sentiments the current government would be more stable was echoed by local mother Poi Leung.

“In general Labor like to spend when I feel like the country needs to be run as a business,” Mrs Leung said.

Poi Leung, Norwood West voter, with daughter Sarah. Picture: Brinley Duggan

An ex-teacher who only wanted to be known as Renee said she quit her job due to vaccine mandates and would be voting for an independent candidate.

“I think it’ll be a Labor landslide because the media is gunning for Labor, I voted for an independent for the first time (at the recent state election) and a lot of my friends did,” Renee said.

Norwood West voters content to re-elect the Liberal party in the area were matched by those undecided, meaning it could be a close race to the finish line.