Canberra Votes: a deep dive into Canberra’s voting habits

We ask Canberrans what election issues are important to them and take a look at the voting trends in the ACT. Read the story to see how your local booth votes.

With the federal election campaign in full swing we take a deep dive into the voting habits of voters in Canberra and surrounds.

We take a look at the voting habits in the federal divisions of Bean, Fenner, Canberra and Eden Monaro.

Rusted on

Voting booth data collated by News Local has found most booths in the ACT were “rusted on” leaning toward Labor.

Eden-Monaro, the NSW federal division that engulfs the ACT, shows a slightly more diverse story.

Canberra

In the 2019 election Labor retained the Division of Canberra with a whopping margin of 17.1 per cent, so it’s not surprising many booths in the electorate are “rusted on” Labor.

However amid a sea of red there is one staunch rusted-on Liberal booth at Canberra Girls Grammar School junior school.

Fenner

According to NewsLocal Data all rusted on booth in the division of Fenner lean toward Labor.

These booths include Lake Ginninderra College, Belconnen, St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Charnwood, Evatt Primary School, and Kingsford Smith School in Holt.

Bean

With the electorate of bean only being in play since the 2019 election it’s too soon to pin down the voting habits of the electorate.

However data collected from the previous election suggests the bulk of booths in Bean leaned towards Labor.

One notable exception is the Tharwa Community Room booth which swung towards the Liberal Party in 2019.

Eden-Monaro

Unlike the ACT electorates Eden-Monaro’s rusted on booths show an array of diverse political persuasions.

There are more rusted on Liberal booths than rusted on Labor booths; with 16 rusted on Liberal booths and 11 rusted on Labor booths.

Bellwether booths

Data from NewsLocal has identified a number of booths which have consistently picked the winning side.

Data compiled by NewsLocal suggests there is only one “bellwether” booth in the entire ACT.

The Gold Creek and Holy Spirit School in Nicholls is the sole bellwether booth in the territory, located in the federal division of Fenner.

Prior to the 2016 election the federal division of Eden Monaro was long considered a “bellwether” seat.

Data compiled by News Local has found only one booth in Eden-Monaro with the winning bellwether status.

The booth is located at Tumut Public School booth to east of the electorate.

Seats of change

NewsLocal has compiled a list of “volatile” booths.

While they lack the party loyalty of rusted on booths, and while they might not always pick the winning side, these are the voters the pollies want to convince.

What the voters say

La Empanada Owner Andre Nogales says he hasn't decided who he'll vote for. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

La Empanada Owner Andre Nogales lives and works in the Division of Fenner in ACT’s north.

The small business owner says he has not made up his mind on who he will vote for.

“I have no clue yet” he said.

“I’m keeping my options open, I’m listening to what everybody has to say in terms of how they’re going to help locals and what their plans are.”

Mr Nogales said the key election issue he is concerned with is support for small business.

“Even though Covid-19 has sort of passed for us we’re still not out of it yet,” he said.

“It’s going to take a bit longer for us to recover.

“We did get funding from the government, and government aid but it wasn’t enough.”

Australian National University students Sam and John say climate change is their top priority when they go to the polls. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Following a lunch at the Australian University Co-op students Sam and John told The Canberra Star climate change was the biggest priority for their vote.

“There’s been years and years of inaction,” Sam said.

“Look at the flooding in Lismore, that whole region.

“It’s hitting the point where it’s claiming human life.”

The 20-year-old student said he would probably vote for the Greens in the election, but says he expects the seat of Canberra to be retained by Labor.

His friend, John, 21, holds very similar views.

“Look at what is happening over in the US with all of the massive wildfires,” he said.

“I’m a big skier so it’s a pretty depressing business - I know that’s a selfish take.”

John also said he was likely to vote for the Greens.

“(The Greens) really stir things up and ask a lot of hard questions,” he said.

“That pulls discourse to a place where it needs to be.”

Kim Delvere says she hopes to see a change of government. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Yass resident Kim Delavere told The Canberra Star the most important issues to her was climate change, the treatment of refugees and improving the standard of living.

“Also health care workers should get paid more,” she said

Ms Delavere said she expected Labor MP Kristy McBain to retain the seat in the election.

The Yass resident described herself as a regular Greens voter and said she would vote green when she returned to the polls again.

When asked if she thought it was possible for Anthony Albanese to win the election she said “I really hope so.”

“I’m unsure, but anything can happen,” she said.

“I think (Anthony Albanese) will do his best with the power he has.”