Federal Election 2019: Grieving MP Clare says close friend Hawke shows what can be done by a great Prime Minister

Blaxland Labor MP Jason Clare said while the passing away legendary Prime Minister Bob Hawke will not sway voters, they will be reminded how important their vote is.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke launched Blaxland MP Jason Clare campaign in 2016.

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A GRIEVING Blaxland Labor MP Jason Clare said while the death of legendary Prime Minister Bob Hawke will not sway voters, they will be reminded how important their vote is.

Mr Clare, who is expected to retain the safe Labor seat of Blaxland, said he was not taking locals for granted and was not expecting a swing towards Labor just because of Mr Hawke, who died in his sleep two days ago.

“Bob Hawke was a very good friend of mine and launched my campaign in 2016, even though he had a fall and had hurt his back,” Mr Clare told The Express.

Watson MP Tony Burke casts his vote with wife Skye at Punchbowl Public School. Picture: Jordan Shields

Blaxland MP Jason Clare at Condell Park Public School.

“I don’t expect Mr Hawke’s death to sway the voters but people will know how important it is when they vote.

“They know a great prime minister can do great things.

“I knew him very well and I am very sad when he died.

Jason Clare casting his vote. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“He was the greatest prime minister Australia has had for many years.

“I miss him very much and he was my hero.”

Tony Burke greeting the Labor volunteers at Punchbowl Public School. Picture: Jordan Shields

Talking of the election, Mr Clare said there was a good vibe at Condell Park Public School, where was handing out brochures and speaking to residents.

“It is a great feeling and a lot of people were very friendly,” he said.

“But we won’t know the result until the votes are counted.”

Sam Haddad 5 and Hayden Haddad 5, have fun with their sausage sizzles at Condell Park Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Mr Clare saying while mr Hawke’s passing away will not sway voters, they will know he was a great Prime Minister, who did great things.

Mr Clare has held the seat since 2007, easily winning the 2016 election, after polling 55,507 to Liberal’s Felcity Findlay’s 24, 378.

Aseyah Moukhallalati, 17 months, waiting for Dad to finish voting at Condell Park Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

BLAXLAND ELECTORATE

Blaxland is bordered by Georges River, Prospect Creek and Woodville Road on the west, along Boorea Street, St Hilliers Road, the Western Motorway, Duck River, Mackay Road, Bennett Road, Clyde Street, Dellwood Street, Blaxcell Street, Adam Street,Excelsior Street and Constance Street in the north. Follows Olympic Drive, Joseph Street, Rookwood and Stacey Street and Fairford Road on the east and along the South Western Motorway in the south.

The main suburbs include Auburn (part), Bankstown (part), Berala, Chester Hill, Condell Park, Georges Hall, Guilford (part), Lidcombe (part), Milperra, South Granville, Villawood and Yagoona.

Greens supporters Angela Girdhag and Rachelle Elhage at Punchbowl Public School. Picture: Jordan Shields

BURKE: THERE’S A GREAT FEELING OUT THERE

Meanwhile, Tony Burke, who easily retained the last election for the seat of Watson, was busy throughout the day, visiting many polling booths in his electorate.

Mr Burke, who has been MP here since 2004, said he will never take the locals for granted.

“You can never take anything for granted, but there’s a great feeling out in the community today,” Mr Burke said at the Beverly Hills North Public School where he spent the morning.

Mr Burke, one of the senior members of the Labor Party, polled 56,247 votes at the 2016 election to win with a margin of 29,258 over Liberal Mohammed Zaman (26,989), who is his main challenge again.

WATSON ELECTORATE

Watson covers an area from the Main Suburban Railway, Centenary Drive and the Hume Highway in the north to the South Western Motorway, Kingsgrove Road and Canterbury Road in the south. In the east by Old Canterbury Road and Prospect Road and in the west by Fairford Road, Stacey Street, Rookwood Road, Joseph Street and Olympic Dive.

The main suburbs include Ashfield, Bankstown (part), Belfield, Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury (part), Chullora, Croydon Park, Enfield, Greenacre, Kingsgrove, Lakemba, Mount Lewis, Punchbowl, Rookwood, Roselands and Strathfield South.