The quiet Australians: How Barker volatile booth of Mount Gambier North will decide the election

Their voting habits are among the most volatile in the country and these disillusioned regional residents in Barker believe there is no difference between the major parties.

An election is looming and the voters who live in this volatile regional booth say they have become increasingly disillusioned by federal politics.

Barker is a safe Liberal seat, but the polling booth at Mount Gambier North Primary School is one of the country’s most volatile – swinging between the major parties and independents.

Since 2004 the booth has swung to Labor twice, Centre Alliance once and Liberal three times.

In that time, it has picked the party that would form government all once – when it preference Centre Alliance in 2016.

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The area is home to mostly caucasian residents with a median age of 41.

Voters in the swing booth felt both major parties played “tit for tat” games and prioritised the major cities, forgetting regional areas.

Michael Smith a disability support worker. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Michael Smith, a 47-year-old disability support worker, felt unheard by the major parties and independent candidates at federal level.

“It just feels like it doesn’t matter who you vote for,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said one example was the NDIS which did not consider what living with a disability in the regions meant and has previously been described as a “bloody nightmare” by disability advocates.

Jessica Pearlman and her children. Picture Arj Ganesan

Mother Jessica Pearlman likening federal politics as a “personal bicker” between the government and the opposition.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s for the country,” she said.

Ms Pearlman said she was undecided on who to vote for but felt it ultimately would not make a difference.

Joshua Stone, a 25-year-old registered nurse, said his three main concerns heading into the election were healthcare, climate change and the economy.

With plans to back Labor, Mr Stone hoped more voters would swing away from the party they had always voted for.

He said safe seats allowed parties to become apathetic, highlighting how swing votes made all the difference in the state election.

“You can even see that (Steven Marshall’s) current seat (was) very hotly contested,” Mr Stone said.

Mount Gambier North voter Joshua Stone, 25. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mount Gambier’s health and mental health services were at the fore of people’s minds with demands for more federal support on top of the state government’s promised investment.

Joanne Johansen echoed calls for improved regional health spending and said she “wasn’t impressed” with the Liberal party.

“It just seems that the big cities get everything and the regions get forgotten,” Mrs Johansen said.