The rusted on Australians: Why Spence booth of Salisbury North keeps voting for the same party at every federal election

The safest Labor seat in South Australia looks set to stay that way, but voters want to see action in key areas before making their final decision.

It is the safest Labor seat in the state, but politicians could be taking Spence for granted and voters could be open to change.

First time voters and wanting more from their beloved party – the one they say fights for the “working class” – could underscore a swing away from Labor as they battle to have their voices heard and their priorities met.

Scroll down to find all of SA’s rusted on booths using our searchable table

Rodney O’Loughlin, a 50-year-old team leader at an Aboriginal cultural services organisation, said while he had and always would vote Labor, he was becoming more disillusioned by federal politics.

“Whoever is in power, the government is the government, but we still have third world conditions for Aboriginal communities,” he said.

Salisbury North voter Rodney O'Loughlin. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Salisbury North voter Bob Morgan. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Retiree Bob Morgan, 80, echoed Mr O’Loughlin and said as a “working man” Labor was the party for him.

But in retirement, he felt he could be better supported by the party he had long supported himself.

“Where is the senior support? We need some money, everybody is having a tough trot,” he said.

Salisbury has long been known for cultural diversity and welcomed refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia in the 1970s and 80s before becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2017 which has seen a healthy population of refugees settle in the area.

Ahmed Mahmoud, a 47-year-old from Egypt, and Lay Pan, who came to Australia from Cambodia in 1984, were both Labor voters.

Salisbury North voter Ahmed Mahmoud. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Mr Pan said Bob Hawke was leading the country when he came to Australia and he felt somewhat of a debt to him, while Mr Mahmoud drew on his experiences as a refugee in his voting preference.

“I feel Labor are more close to lower socio-economic people and better for refugees,” he said.

First time voter Amy Parker, 21, and swing voter Quinton Graham, 45, were not as convinced, but still leant to Labor.

Ms Parker said a commitment to improving indigenous physical health, mental health and drug and alcohol education would sway her.

For Mr Graham, he still felt disappointed by Scott Morrison’s handling of the AUKUS submarine partnership.

Salisbury North voter Amy Parker. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Salisbury North voter Quinton Graham. Picture: Brinley Duggan

“We had the French as allies and now all of a sudden there’s this animosity,” Mr Graham said.

“And if we had to go to war, we’re several years off actually having any submarines to go with.”

The indecision, and want for a party to put their hand up in the area, was also felt by Mark, 42, and Jodie Tyler, 43, who remained undecided.

Salisbury North voters Jodie and Mark Tyler. Picture: Jason Katsaras

“I think cost of living is the main concern – the price of fuel is shocking – changes to that is what we’d want to see addressed,” Mrs Tyler said.

Though former Spence Labor MP Nick Champion has left his seat empty after being elected at the state election, Labor looks set to again retain the electorate.

But good faith may only go so far, and the people of Salisbury North want to see their concerns addressed or their votes could be going elsewhere.