The quiet Australians: How Hindmarsh bellwether booth of Henley Beach South will decide the election

It’s been a canary in the coalmine for governments in the past and it appears voters at this Hindmarsh polling booth are set to repeat history at the upcoming federal election.

The Henley Beach South voting booth has been a canary in the coalmine for governments in the past and could be again in the upcoming federal election.

Sitting in the Hindmarsh electorate, the bellwether voting booth at Henley Beach Primary School has tipped the past three elections to the Liberal party, but backed Labor in the two previous.

According to the 2016 census, 51.2 per cent of those who call the area home are men, with the majority white and a median age of 40.

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Signs the Coalition may be in trouble are exemplified by swing voter Josh Bruce who said the current government’s record on climate had forced him vote elsewhere.

“I work in the environmental field and I haven’t been impressed with their attitudes, I’m not sure where I’ll vote but it won’t be with the Liberals,” Mr Bruce said.

“The election is honestly too tight to call – I don’t know where it’s going to go.”

Henley Beach South Henley Beach South voter Josh Bruce. Picture: Jason Katsaras

There are Labor stalwarts in the area including autism facilitator Nicole Mckenna, 23, who said she would never vote for anyone else.

“Growing up I was in a very Labor family, people around me are very working class and the values aligned during my upbringing,” Ms McKenna said.

Nicole Mckenna, Henley Beach South voter. Picture: Brinley Duggan

This sentiment was echoed by pensioner and former factory worker Peter Curtin, 63.

“I’ve lived here since 1962, always voted Labor, I think there’s a good chance for them this year,” Mr Curtin said.

Peter Curtin, Henley Beach South voter. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Any swing to the Labor Party could be threatened by recent developments and subdivisions in the area that appear to be mostly occupied and built on by Liberal voters keen to live by the sea.

Sarah Bachmann, 55, National Precast Concrete Association chief executive and said the election would be a tight race.

“I do tend to vote Liberal, I have sympathy for the federal government – they’ve had a tough few years dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mrs Bachmann said.

Sarah Bachmann, Henley Beach South voter. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Retired plumbing business owner Harvey Thornton, 77, lives a few doors down.

He said he had also backed the Libs in most elections.

“I ran my own business and the Liberals tend to help businesses out, they have a better philosophy,” Mr Thornton said.

Harvey Thornton, Henley Beach South voter. Picture: Jason Katsaras

With more than 40 per cent of those interviewed by the Messenger tipped to vote Labor compared to more 30 per cent backing the government, it appears the bellwether booth may tip the scales to a Coalition loss.

Twenty-five per cent said they were undecided or voting for minor parties.