Early voters reveal big change sweeping Brisbane

Liberal and Labor are battling it out in some of Brisbane’s key federal seats, but if early voters are any indicator locals are being swayed towards another party.

Many voters at Queensland’s busiest pre-poll centre revealed they are backing the Greens Party over Liberal or Labor this year, aiding Labor’s campaign for the hotly contested seat of Brisbane.

The LNP’s Trevor Evans has held the seat of Brisbane since 2016 after being re-elected in 2019 and is currently preferencing at a healthy 48 per cent, however Labor’s Madonna Jarrett isn’t far behind and could close the 4.9 per cent margin with the help of a Greens preferential vote.

Meanwhile many people left without casting their vote at the Chermside Kedron Community Church yesterday after being told they would have to wait over an hour to get inside, with the pre-poll centre the busiest place to cast a vote in the state.

Eliza Kennedy, 27, after voting at the Chermside pre-polling station. Picture: Liam Kidston

The long wait didn’t stop Eliza Kennedy, 27, and mum Evelyn, 60, from entering the ballot box rush and put the Greens first this year.

“I just sort of feel like as an older person facing retirement within the next maybe five to seven years, I’m really scared about the aspects of how I’ve been paying my taxes for the last 40 plus years,” Evelyn Kennedy said.

“Climate is definitely something I think about, when I have children, what’s it going to be like for them?” Eliza Kennedy said.

“For the past decade, it’s always been Liberal, Labor, whereas it might not be like in the next 30 years. I do envision that the Greens will actually become a major because they will have enough of the younger generation backing them,” she said.

Kim Smith, aged in her 50s from Brisbane, said her vote “significantly changed” this year after living abroad in England.

“It’s been quite interesting for me and I actually decided to really look very deeply into it. And I have significantly changed my vote,” she said.

“After living in England and watching all the young people choose not to vote, and older people making all of the decisions, I decided that in a country like Australia, the older people should be thinking about our future children, and our future grandchildren.

“I’m going Greens.”

LNP's Trevor Evans handing out how to vote cards at City Hall pre-polling centre, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

At the less busy Brisbane City Hall pre-poll centre, the LNP’s Trevor Evans was working the Adelaide St corner, handing out campaign flyers to and chatting to his constituents.

He said he would be relying on young voters to get him across the line again on Saturday.

“Every election I’ve been involved in the past has been tight,” he said.

“For me to win I need a great amount of support both from younger voters and other voters as well. And I feel like it‘s pretty good out there.”
With a 4.9 per cent margin to beat, Ms Jarrett said she’s not overly confident.

“I’m not saying I’m feeling confident, I’m saying that it’s just too close to call,” Ms Jarrett said.

“It’s a really tight race and you know … as an incumbent, you have an advantage, and as the candidate, you’re coming from behind right from start. I’ve got to make up five per cent before we’re even at the starting line.

“I need everyone I can get.”

Labor's Madonna Jarrett handing out how to vote cards at City Hall pre-polling centre, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

First-time voter in the Brisbane electorate Ben, 20, would be one voter to help her get across the line.

He said the most important election topic for him was Indigenous welfare, but instead of favouring a political party, Ben was focused on putting the LNP last.

“I suppose you could say I’m kind of striving for education for the marginalised group and for help towards all marginalised groups in general.

“There was no particular party that has sort of strongly gone towards this. I went to back Labor, Greens and a few more, but the one thing that I was positive of was putting Liberals last.

“I don’t think the current party is really doing a good job.”

Olivia, 24, said she was voting for Independent candidates this year, followed by the LNP. She said the national budget and tax were the top factors that influenced her vote.

“I just think they’ve (Independents) got better intentions,” she said.

“The budget and the tax implications long term, for myself, my kids, that kind of thing.

“Especially after Covid, it’s (tax) already stacking up.”

Hour-long lines at the popular Chermside pre-polling station, the busiest place to cast an early vote in Queensland. Picture: Liam Kidston

Kyle, 26, said he felt confident and informed and would be giving Labor’s Anika Wells another go-around in the seat of Lilley over controversial LNP candidate Vivian Lobo.

“I think she’s been quite capable, and should have another shot,” he said.

With less than 24 hours to go before election day 2022, Brisbane pre-poll centres had already seen more than tens of thousands of keen residents attend pre-poll, including a whopping 3300 early voters at the Chermside Kedron Community Church on Wednesday.

Australian Electoral Commission spokesman Evan Ekin-Smyth said Australia was on track towards record breaking pre-poll numbers.

“Were on track for record numbers, 4.6 million have cast at pre-poll as of Thursday,” Mr Ekin-Smyth said.

Pre-poll centres will remain open until Friday evening for working Queenslanders and interstate holidayers to vote prior to Saturday’s election day.