Federal election 2022: Jannali, Hughes electorate voters say cost of living major issue

The cost of living is the issue on minds and wallets in the bellwether area of Jannali in the seat of Hughes. Voters cited rising costs as the biggest issue, but were split on who best to address it.

In the leafy green and picturesque Jannali – and the immediate surrounding Shire areas – a tense election campaign is beginning to take shape.

Election posters for the two main parties are few and far between around the quiet polling area of Jannali in the federal seat of Hughes whose voters, since 2004, have in majority polled for the winning party each and every time.

With people going to the polls in a matter of weeks, the issues and preferences on the minds of Jannali’s voters provide give a snapshot of the country.

NewsLocal journalists took to the streets to ask 50 voters a series of questions to get an understanding of the issues most concerning the Jannali area.

Jannali is a bellwether polling area that has voted for the winning party since 2004. Picture: John Appleyard

Flemings in Jannali on Box Rd where voters are split on who would be a better prime minister.

A true bellwether seat, voters in and around Jannali agree that the rising cost of living is the main issue affecting them and other Australians, but are evenly split on who is best to deal with it.

“Probably the biggest issue is cost of living,” resident Ashley Moir said.

“But with the situation in Russia I don’t think there’s much we can do about it – I’m afraid we’re stuck with it and just have to see it through.”

Fellow resident Michael Garvey, who spoke with NewsLocal on Jannali’s main thoroughfare, agreed.

“Around Jannali the main issue is the cost of living,” he said. “But I don’t think any of the major parties could handle it.

“As for controlling it, there’s so many external factors they’ve got no control over.”

(From left to right) Jannali residents Nadine Gordon, Robyn Miller and Maree Ristuccia all said they prefer Scott Morrison as prime minister. Picture: Annie Lewis

When asked what the most important issue facing Australia right now was, a whopping 30 per cent of respondents cited the rising cost of living.

“It’s a mess,” Trudy Salter, another Jannali-based voter, said.

“My husband is 70 and he is working six days a week, 12 hours a day.

“Medical bills, petrol, mortgages and everything else – it all builds up. We’ll eventually have to sell our house to survive.”

Climate change, which continues to dominate the airwaves, with Sydney passing its average annual rainfall total already and protests continuing across the city, was the second most cited issue in Jannali.

Jannali resident Trudy Salter cited rising costs as the issue facing her and her husband. Picture: Annie Lewis

Tim, a Hughes voter and Sutherland local, cited climate change as the most pressing issue. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

“Surely the biggest issue is climate change,” Hughes electorate voter Tim, who preferred not to give his last name, said.

“There’s also issues with aged care, and lack of it – but I think the biggest issue facing the country has to be climate change.”

Although Jannali and voters in the wider Hughes electorate seem to agree on what the issues are, on who would be best to deal with them, less consensus is found.

When asked which of the two major parties – Liberal and Labor – would be more likely to help with the cost of living, 24 per cent said Liberal, 46 per cent said Labor, and 18 per cent said neither party would be able to get it under control.

“Quite frankly, I think both Liberal and Labor would stuff it up,” Robert Best said.

Craig Kelly is the longstanding MP for Hughes, the electorate Jannali and Sutherland both sit in. Picture: David Swift

Hughes is currently held by United Australia Party (UAP) MP Craig Kelly, who defected from the Liberals in February 2021 before becoming the UAP’s only representative in the lower house – and its leader – in August.

There was vocal support for independent candidate Linda Seymour, whose election posters far outnumbered that of any other candidate.

“We need transparency in where donations come from,” Wilma Steves, sporting a Linda Seymour shirt, said.

“We need greater truth in advertising, less sledging the other side, and more talk about policies.”

Wilma Stevens wears a shirt in support of independent Hughes candidate Linda Seymour. Picture: Annie Lewis

Hughes voter Lindsay Hook said he'll be voting to return the Liberals. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Of the 50 residents asked, 13 said they’d prefer Scott Morrison as prime minister, 22 said opposition leader Anthony Albanese, 10 said neither of the two. Interestingly, there was a smattering of Penny Wong.

“He’s not doing too well at the moment, but I’d still prefer Scott as our leader,” Lindsay Hook said.

“Albanese is too much of an unknown.”

The hesitancy around Mr Albanese, and holding your nose and plumping for ‘ScoMo’, was a theme.

Hughes voter and Sutherland local Robert Best said Anthony Albanese "doesn't cut the mustard" as a leader. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Darryl Nuttall told the Inner West Courier in Sutherland that Scott Morrison had "passed his expiry date". Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

“I think Scott is still better,” Mr Best said.

“Anthony is a nice fella, but as a leader I don’t think he cuts the mustard.”

Some voters, however, are currently on the other flip of the coin – preferring the “unknown quality of Albanese”, as one resident said, to lead the country over the next few years.

“I think it’s time for Morrison to go, he’s made too many mistakes,” Darryl Nuttall said.

“Whether Albo would do a better job is up for debate, who knows.

“He’s not a bad guy, ScoMo, but he needs to look himself in the mirror – he’s passed his expiry date.”