‘I don’t even know who is running’: Plenty of issues, but lots of apathy in lead-up to Mayo by-election

STIFLING tax, unemployment, healthcare, their region ignored — the voters of Mayo have myriad concerns. But many of them don’t seem to even care there’s an election on Saturday.

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STIFLING tax, unemployment, healthcare, opportunities for apprenticeships and “people in the big house” ignoring the region — the voters of Mayo have myriad concerns.

But if there was a single word to sum up the feeling on the ground in the federal electorate, it would be apathetic.

Touring the electorate, talking to locals, it is hard not to think that Saturday’s by-election is regarded as simply the battle of who could care less.

Ian Kaines, 79, who is sitting outside Foodland, on the main street of Woodside, sums it up: “I don’t even know who is running, I just don’t like politicians.”

For every voter in the region who expresses a view on the election, another 10 replicate Mr Kaines’ sentiments.

Centre Alliance candidate Rebekha Sharkie is seen Donna Brook, campaigning at a pre-poll booth in Victor Harbor. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Liberal candidate for Mayo Georgina Downer campaigning in Mt Barker. Picture: AAP /David Mariuz

On the road between Woodside and Hahndorf, 83-year-old Balhannah retiree Malcolm Scott said people were very happy with Centre Alliance candidate Rebekha Sharkie.

“(Liberal candidate) Georgina Downer gives the impression of coming back and taking her birthright,” he said, referring to her father Alexander, who held the seat for 24 years.

In Hahndorf, Italian-born ice-cream maker Bruno Ocampo said “Rebekha’s very humble. … Georgina is seen as coming from a powerful family.”

Strewn across tables in his shop are fresh copies of the local newspaper, including a huge front-page advertisement. “Fact: Rebekha Sharkie voted with Labor 176 times,” it reads.

But Mr Ocampo suggests people are not buying the Coalition’s campaign. “Australians like to support an underdog,” he said.

The comment is telling considering the paper also rehashes a front-page story from The Advertiser on Monday that revealed Ms Sharkie was leading the two party-preferred vote polling by a considerable 59-41 margin.

On the other side of the road, shop owner Eleanor Braidwood said she was working six days a week without holidays and earning less than the minimum wage.

“GST has got to be the biggest issue to small business,” Ms Braidwood said.

She hopes the candidate who wins the by-election will advocate for some relief.

Meadows Country Meats owner Mark Walden said he often works up to 17 hours a day, and he has not paid himself a wage in six months just to keep his business alive — but he would like some help.

“I would like some incentives to put on apprentices and train them,” Mr Walden said.

Basket Range mother Hanna Stanford, 43, said more services for the youth and elderly were needed in the electorate.

“From a federal point of view, there’s not a lot of input here,” Ms Stanford said.

“There could be more impact.” Ms Stanford said it would be good to see “people in the big house” coming to the region and seeing it for what it was — a food production, cultural and tourism area.

Greens candidate for Mayo, Major 'Moogy' Sumner. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Labor candidate Reg Coutts.

“More support for people who are contributing for Australia and South Australia,” she said.

Bird in Hand winery general manager Jared Stringer said the region was thriving as a result of its reputation as a food bowl.

But a proposed gold mine planned for smack bang in the middle of three of the biggest wineries in the area was a significant concern.

Mr Stringer said he has had support from Ms Downer, Ms Sharkie and the Greens candidate Major “Moogy” Sumner.

“It flies in the face of what the region is all about,” he said.

At the Lobethal Country Fire Service Op Shop, volunteer Deborah Cannon said age discrimination made it difficult to get a job in the area. “For a few years, I was out of work,” Ms Cannon said.

“I had skills but I had to upgrade them. Now it’s my age.”

It compelled the 56-year-old to leave her age off her resume but she said once prospective employers saw her “grey hair” at interviews, she was ruled out.

Now on Newstart payments, Ms Cannon said once she paid, her rent she was left with just $10 a week.

It comes as a poll by the Australian Greens revealed more than 70 per cent of South Australians supported increasing the Newstart allowance.

Lobethal resident Sue Robinson, 63, said transport and healthcare were major issues in the electorate.

“The local hospital is not equipped for the amount of people in the Adelaide Hills and inevitably we get shifted out to the city,” Ms Robinson said. “Transport is very hard.”

At polling booths across the region, pre-polling booths have been busy in a possible sign that people have already decided who they are going to vote for.

Of a possible 100,000 voters, 15,000 have already cast their vote.

If the vibe on the street from Lobethal to Strathalbyn is anything to go by Ms Sharkie will win the seat on Saturday.

Who’s who on the ballot

■ The Mayo by-election was triggered by the May resignation of Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie over her dual citizenship.

■ Sharkie holds the seat with a five per cent margin.

■ Mayo takes in the Adelaide Hills from Birdwood in the north to Kangaroo Island in the south.

■ Sharkie is expected to retain the seat, but faces a challenge from the Liberals’ Georgina Downer, the daughter of former minister Alexander Downer.

■ Other candidates for the election are Reg Coutts (ALP), Tracey-Lee Cane (Christian Democratic Party), Kelsie Harfouche (Australian People’s Party), Major Moogy Sumner (Greens) and Stephen Humble (Liberal Democrats)