Federal Election 2019: Brisk voting as Liberal MP Coleman faces strong challenge from Gambian in marginal Banks

Banks MP and Immigration Minister David Coleman cast his vote at Panania North Public School but not before he was accosted at the entrance by a Greens supporter who hassled him about detainees at Manus Island and Nauru.

Locals wait in line to vote at Panania Public school. Picture; Matthew Vasilescu

• UAP volunteer allegedly drops pants in Bankstown
• Democracy sausages, cake stalls a hit with voters

BANKS MP and Immigration Minister David Coleman cast his vote at Panania North Public School but not before he was accosted at the entrance by a Greens supporter who hassled him about detainees at Manus Island and Nauru.

Mr Coleman was handing out brochures and chatting with Liberal volunteers when the Greens man turned up to ask him these questions and climate change.

Mr Coleman, who faces a very strong challenge from Labor’s Chris Gambian in this very marginal seat, quickly moved into the polling booth to cast his vote before leaving the school.

Greens volunteer Shane Bazzi questions Liberal MP and Minister for Immigration David Coleman at Panania North Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Labor candidate for Banks Chris Gambian casts his vote at Mortdale Public School. Picture: Jordan Shields

The Express tried to contact Mr Coleman without luck as this went online.

“I asked my about the refugees in Manus Island and Nauru,” Greens supporter Shane Bazzi told the Express.

“But he did not want to answer and moved away from us.”

Labor candidate Chris Gambian was positive after voting at Mortdale Public School but knows just how close the seat of Banks could be.

“So far so good and I am very heartened by the positive feeling from the people here, “ Mr Gambian said.

Louise Anthony P&C President at the cake stall at Panania North Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“I am quietly confident but we cannot say anything until the votes are counted.

“I feel very good about the campaign we have had and built a close relationship with the people.”

Renee Abounded 4 from Panania waiting for Mum to finish voting at Panania North Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

There was a long line of voters at Panania Public School which had a big spread of cakes and sweets and a very busy sausage sizzle, where the $6 works burger gets my nod as the best.

Panania North Public School principal Samantha Loveridge school working at the squasage sizzle. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Locals Raelene Waters and Michael Tammetta enjoy their sausage sizzle. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Jacquie Dredge, the co-ordinator for the Pand C committee said at each election, the voters also come to sample their food,” because our food stalls are very good”.

“We have brought 500 rolls and burgers and hundreds of sausages,” she said. “Our works burgers are the best!”

Campaign volunteers come together for a smile at the Panania North Public School polling booth. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Voters did munch through their sausage rolls and burgers and savour their cakes, while standing in the line.

While voting at Panania North Public School was quiet in the morning, the sausage sizzle and cake stalls were busy as the school’s P and C committee tried to raise enough money to buy aircons.

Karina Biner from Picnic Point with daughters Zoe and Olivia at Panania Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Caitlin Dunstan, Emily Dunstan,, Cooper Gibson, Allegra Gibson and Charlotte Raven enjoy the cake stall at Panania Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“We have brought 25kg of sausages and nine dozen eggs as we want to raise the money,” Louise Anthony said.

For the state election, the school raised more than $2000 from their stalls.

Kerry Graham, who called himself a swinging voter, said the main issues were about the environment and cuts in services, hospitals and pensioners, “who have worked hard and paid taxes”.

Voter Kerry Graham. Picture: Lawrence Machado

Charlotte Raven, Caitlin and Lauren Dunstan have fun at Panania Public School cake stall: . Picture: Lawrence Machado

“I voted Labor this time as the Liberal policies have affected me,” Mr Graham said.

Actor Trevor Michel, who is originally from Austria, said the population has to be controlled while saying it was pollution, not climate change, which is man’s biggest problem.

“I can’t vote Labor, mate,” he said.

Jeff Oehlman cooking the democracy sausages at Panania Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Voter Trevor Michel. Picture: Lawrence Machado

Canterbury Bankstown Express journalist Lawrence Machado tasting the sausage sizzle. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

am Winfield making another sausage sizzle at Mortdale Public School. Picture: Jordan Shields

Michael Tammetta said he is worried about the rising rate of crime and he wants the new government to be tougher on border controls.

Stephen Oates loves his democracy sausage at Panania Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

This is the second time Mr Gambian is challenging Mr Coleman for the seat, having lost by less than 3000 votes in 2016.

The key marginal Liberal seat, held by Minister for Immigration David Coleman on 1.4 per cent, will play a crucial part in the Coalition’s chances of retaining government.

Mr Coleman won the previously safe Labor seat back in 2013. In 2016, union official Chris Gambian contested the seat for Labor, gaining a 1.36 per cent swing, with Mr Coleman winning by 2588 votes.

ELECTORATE

Banks is bound by the Georges River in the south and west, the South Western Motorway in the north and King Georges Road, the Illawarra railway line, Jubilee Avenue the Princes Highway and Terry Street in the east. The main suburbs include Allawah, Carlton (part), Connells Point, East Hills, Lugarno, Mortdale, Oatley, Panania, Padstow, Padstow Heights, Hurstville Grove, Picnic Point, Revesby, Riverwood and South Hurstville.