Robertson electorate profile: Growing divide in key Central Coast seat

A gaping class divide between the rich and poor could see the bellwether Central Coast seat of Robertson switch hands from Labor to Liberal in the upcoming election.

A growing class divide between the rich and poor could see the seat of Robertson switch hands in the upcoming election.

Voters in this bellwether seat remain tight-lipped on their votes, but like the rest of Australia, one issue leads the charge – the cost of living.

It’s a pinch being felt by Peter and Vicky Webber, who have taken to selling their homemade bread and jam on the side of the road for some extra coin.

“That’s what happens when you retire and lose all the money and have to go back to work,” he says, while his wife packages up a loaf of sourdough.

When it comes to politics, he grumbles.

“I don’t know where we are going. The government we are out to get is not the government we deserve.

“The only people I will be supporting is the One Nation party. I think the two major parties need a complete kick up the backside,” Mr Webber says.

Peter and Vicky Webber, who is voting One Nation, at their Ridgeway Artisan Produce stall in Lisarow. Picture: Rohan Kelly

It’s an exhaustion that echoes across the coastal region. Sitting on a park bench with her friend May Yung and border collie Misha, Elizabeth Walmsley groans when asked about the election.

“I am not that interested because I think they are all hopeless. The cost of living is my first priority.

Her friend Ms May chimes in.

“You are starting to see a lot more of the gap in the society. In Woy Woy we are seeing a lot of homeless females, I have never seen so many homeless people in the carpark. People are being driven out of their homes, they can’t afford to rent.

“The middle class is shrinking,” Ms May says.

It’s an issue Liberal candidate Lucy Wicks is determined to address. When we manage to snag some time with her, it’s in between handshakes and pamphlets handouts.

Ms Wicks spends most of the day at pre-poll, doing her best to win over voters.

“This electorate is always very tight, it's a marginal bellwether for a reason. But what I have found is people are really desperate to address cost of living, and housing affordability is something that has come up time and time again,” Ms Wicks said.

Friends May Yung and Elizabeth Walmsley, who says the cost of living is her main concern. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“It’s cost of living but its everything that hangs off that as well,” she said. She tells us of a woman she spoke to, who is left with just $56 a week for groceries to feed herself and three kids.

“I don’t understand that why in 2025 we are facing this situation in The Central Coast,” said Ms Wicks.

Ms Wicks is up against Labor’s Gordon Reid, a doctor who came into parliament at the last election.

Lucy Wicks, the Liberal candidate, at the early voting centre in Erina. Picture: Rohan Kelly

He is at the same pre poll, both politicians awkwardly ducking to be avoid being photographed in front of their opposition’s signage.

With every door he knocks, Mr Reid said he hears the same concerns. “Cost of living and healthcare.

“We are increasing bulk billing and making sure we are cutting the cost of medications so people aren’t rationing their medications,” he said.

Labor candidate Dr Gordon Reid campaigning at Erina. Picture: Rohan Kelly

It’s an issue that hits hard for Mr Reid. As an emergency doctor – a big part of his election campaign – he sees the impact of a struggling health system first hand.

“I still practice in the emergency department and I see it on the front line. Health care is really important to me and really important to our people,” he said.

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Originally published as Robertson electorate profile: Growing divide in key Central Coast seat