Federal Election 2022: Page voters reveal issues that matter

From youth suicide to foreign aid find out what matters most in the federal election to Grafton locals.

Since the last federal election there has been a pandemic, a flooding disaster and conflict in Europe that is threatening to spill over the borders of Ukraine.

All of these issues are being felt locally in the Page electorate as voters think about what matters to them.

Page covers the coastal zone from Sapphire Beach to Nimbin and inland from Nymboida to the Queensland border. Main towns include Casino, Dunoon, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, Sapphire Beach and Wooli.

From housing for men leaving correctional services and inflation, to how people’s children will ever be able to afford a home-here, are the issues on Grafton voters’ minds.

Steel Beveridge

Steel Beveridge, Minnie Waters resident said first and foremost wages have not kept in line with inflation and this is of major concern before the Federal election.

“Wages haven’t increased with the cost of living and that’s a direct result of conservative government. If Labor gets in there may be a shift in that direction that may benefit the community generally.

“People will be able to spend a bit more and with petrol prices as they are, that’s going to be significant for a lot of people in terms of what they can afford to do.

“They are building their life around those absolutely necessary expenditures they’ve got to have.”

He said it’s not easy to make up his mind on who to vote for until he sees more.

“We've been a conservative electorate for a long time and it will be important to see what Labor, the Greens and the independents are putting forward.”

Shiu Narayan

Lanitza farmer Shiu Narayan, said issues affecting him pre-election include the flooding, rising prices and the labour shortage on his blueberry farm.

“We have been affected by flood and income from our production horticulture business.”

He is waiting for disaster payments that he says are taking too long to be processed.

“As farmers we are struggling with petrol, chemicals and fertilisers.

“I want someone in federal politics to expand the labor shortage visas to include India.

“I want to see the politicians take care of locals first.”

Michelle Cowan

Grafton trauma counsellor Michelle Cowan said mental health is her main issue to choose a candidate to vote for but she hasn't found a good fit with any candidates so far.

“As a trauma counsellor, health is the main issue on my mind and Medicare.

“I’m upset they’ve scrapped the rural and remote clients’ Medicare rebate with psychiatrists, and I support a lot of clients to access psychiatrist as we don’t have any in Grafton.”

She says her clients now have to pay the full amount.

“We are dealing with a crisis in youth suicide.

“I work 13 or 14 hour days with four times the number of clients.

“I probably will vote as I have before.”

Shayne Skinner

Born and bred Grafton man Shayne Skinner identified housing and the price of petrol as his two big concerns when he goes to the voting booth.

He said housing is a big issue in the Clarence Valley.

“There’s not enough to cater to peoples' needs and housing prices are going through the roof.

“I’m a caseworker for Tribal Dreaming assisting gents out of the corrective services system and one of the major issues is housing and what’s out there is unaffordable.”

And he says “fuel prices at $2.50 a litre when milk’s only 99 cents is ridiculous.

“Personally I want to take a long hard look and see what parties are fighting for and decide.”

Trish Craig

Trish Craig wants to know which candidates will give more help for the flood affected and address housing before she decides who to vote for at the Federal election.

She thinks there should be more services for flood affected in the Northern Rivers especially Lismore.

“As it’s been a few weeks now they feel forgotten and they’ve got no homes and are living in other people’s garages.

“I think they’ve been neglected they need help.”

She also says the housing situation is “ridiculous” in the Clarence with people being outpriced.

“I’m not an either party voter; I vote who I think will do the job.

“You’ve got to weed through the bulls**t.”

Michael Shepherd

South Grafton butcher Michael Shepherd said the economy, debts from covid and housing are all on his mind prior to the Federal election.

The economy and Covid concern Michael Shepherd along with the debt from Covid.

“How much money has been borrowed with Covid and how are we ever going to pay it back?

“Is it just the working person that will pay it back? Does the person on welfare get out of it?

He has worked all his life and says there is a lots of we homeless in the Grafton region and more flood relief is needed.

“Why do we give 6 or 8 billion dollars away overseas?

“They say charity begins at home - we could certainly use that money here.”

He has teenage children and worries about hey they will afford a home.

“Buying and renting has become ridiculously out of people’s reach.

“Rentals are getting above what the average person can afford too.”