Federal Election 2019: Voters share their most important community issues

Just a few days out from the Federal Election, the Advocate took to the streets of Blacktown to hear voters’ thoughts.

Greenway and Chifley voters Thamlini Sathasevam with her daughter, Dhiryaa Siraram, 3, Andrew Chrysanthou, Maryann Zammit, Eddy Tan and Jonathan Aslanidis in Main St, Blacktown, ahead of Saturday’s Federal Election. Picture: Angelo Velardo

• Federal Election 2019: Greenway candidates talk local issues
• Federal Election 2019: Chifley candidates talk local issues
• Federal Election 2019: Meet the candidates vying for Greenway
• Federal Election 2019: Meet the candidates vying for Chifley

With just a few days remaining to the Federal Election, the Advocate took to the streets of Blacktown to ask people the issues that would determine their vote on Saturday.

Maryann Zammit, Blacktown, Greenway:

“When you’re a worker or in small business, I think the Liberals will do better.

“I’m concerned about a big population and too many high-rises going up. They’re building all these developments but nothing is being done to cope with traffic. We’re struggling here in Blacktown.”

Eddy Tan, Chifley:

“I’ll be voting for Liberal. Housing affordability is important to me, if the economy is good, everyone can afford it, but if it’s bad, who can afford a home?

“I used to be a very passionate Labor voter, but I see it is the wrong way of moving, so I have switched.”

Tracey Reynolds, The Ponds, Greenway:

“I used to vote for whoever was supportive of the police and families and disability, as that’s what affects my family.

“Now, I honestly don’t know. It does not matter who we vote for because the party has the power to change the leader anyway. So what’s the point?”

Chifley candidates United Australia Party Joseph O'Connor, Greens Brent Robertson, Labor Ed Husic, Liberal Livingston Chettipally and Independent Ammar Khan. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Andrew Chrysanthou, Woodcroft Estate, Chifley:

“My vote will be for the Liberals for the policies and incentives they’re moving.

“Being in real estate, I’m concerned about Labor wanting to take out negative gearing.

“The Liberals have gotten us out of a big slump that Labor got us into many years ago.”

Lucas Cayanan, Woodcroft, Chifley:

“I’ll be voting Labor. It is the party for the people. It is the reason why I am here in Australia after the White Australia policy.

“The coalition always cuts public services and anything good for the people, they always cut — healthcare, Medicare, schools.

“They are concentrating on the children, because they are the future of Australia and I think the policy Labor has now is concentrating on investing for the future.”

Current seat holder of Greenway, Michelle Towland. Picture: Jordan Shields

Jonathan Aslanidis, Blacktown, Greenway:

“If I was picking anyone to vote for it would be Liberal.

”I’m concerned about negative gearing and Labor’s policies on negative gearing.

“Housing affordability is on the pricey side for some people. Negative gearing helps a lot of people.”

Thamlini Sathasevam, Prospect, Greenway:

“Out of the two main parties, I feel if I vote for Labor it will take us backwards.

“They’re looking to reduce contribution caps, and a few things with super and to reduce the capital gains tax to 25 per cent. It doesn’t sound fair.”

Branka Hedges, Chifley:

“Aged care is important to me. I don’t know who I’m voting for yet!”

Doug Harkin, Chifley:

“Mt Druitt Hospital — upgrade it to a working hospital not a medical centre and NO MORE high buildings!”