The rusted on Australians: Why Barker booth of Mount Gambier West keeps voting for the same party at every federal election

They’re less than impressed with ScoMo but voters from opposite sides of the fence are so impressed by Tony Pasin’s advocacy he would be their pick as an independent.

It’s consider a Liberal heartland but these rusted on Barker voters don’t mind who the next Prime Minister as long as their local MP serves their needs and doesn’t simply toe the party line.

Mount Gambier West residents have long supported the Liberal Party.

It took a dominate lead at the Mount Gambier High School booth in 2019, claiming over 50 per cent of the vote.

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Other conservative candidates such as the Nationals, the United Australia Party, One Nation and Family First completely bombed.

However, voters say this could be explained by incumbent Tony Pasin’s advocacy for the region rather than the popularity of conservative views.

81 year-old retiree and Mount Gambier West voter Megan McKenzie. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Megan McKenzie, an 81-year-old retiree, has been a strong Labor supporter for years but said she would vote for Mr Pasin if he ran as an independent.

“I don’t like ScoMo and I’m not terribly impressed with the Morrison government,” Mrs McKenzie said.

“I’m not against Tony Pasin - it’s the party.”

Fellow Mount Gambier West Labor voter, Shaun Dunford, said it was “conflicting” given Mr Pasin’s advocacy.

“As much as I’m not really a Liberal fan - Tony Pasin has worked pretty hard,” Mr Dunford said.

“But then you look at who he’s with and the people around him.”

The 43-year-old self-employed man said he wanted to see a consistent national approach to Covid-19.

Mount Gambier West voter Shaun Dunford was disappointed with the Liberal government’s approach to Covid-19. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Pasin has been outspoken against ongoing Covid mandates and restrictions, taking to the streets in December with “freedom” protesters.

Younger swing voters had yet to decide who they would tip, but echoed a disinterest in who gets the top job, instead focusing on their local candidate.

At 24, Alyssa Stock described herself as a swing voter who based her decisions on what’s important to her “at the moment” and said he wanted know how her local MP would fight for her.

Mount Gambier West Voter Alyssa Stock doesn't care who will become the next PM. Picture: Arj Ganesan

James Carrison will swing towards other conservative Barker candidates. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“I don’t care who the prime minister is going to be,” she said.

“They just say what they want to get elected.”

James Carrison, 27, was normally a consistent voter, but will instead be swinging away from the major party for other conservative candidates following the government’s handling of the pandemic.

“The state’s been able to mandate anything because they can,” he said.

“I know the federal government have the ability to override state legislation.”

Mr Carrison said he was “ambivalent” towards Tony Pasin and the Liberals “would be preferenced down” at the May election.