The little booth in Labor strong hold that votes for winner
It may sit in the Labor stronghold of Shortland, but the booth of Valentine has been picking the winner of the federal election for several years — so what are they thinking in 2022?
Newcastle
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The proud residents of Valentine, which sits on the shores of Lake Macquarie and deep in Labor heartland, still like to call their suburb a village.
It is all about the feel, they say almost to the person.
It is also a place of free-thinkers, of people who are proud to say they are swinging voters who listen to political policies and vote accordingly.
“You have got old Valentine and new Valentine, and there are a growing number of young families moving into the place,” said John McGrath, a 72-year-old retiree who has lived in Valentine for 46 years.
“I think a lot of people take an interest in politics. I am not swayed by financial policies that are just good for me, I vote in terms of what I perceive to be the best for the country.
“I would vote for someone who has a concrete policy on how to improve productivity - that is the only way we can improve costs of living and job growth for everyone - and I believe that is a major issue right now.’’
Valentine is in the federal seat of Shortland, a Labor stronghold currently held by Pat Conroy. But the people of this booth have been voting for the party that ultimately wins government for years.
Labor might win the seat, but the residents of Valentine have voted for the Liberal candidate in the past two Coalition wins and Labor in both 2007 and 2010.
Solo mum Emma Hale, 47, said she believed the pandemic had highlighted some shortfalls that governments needed to identify and fix.
“If a party had a broad and strong policy around fixing issues with ageing, health and housing affordability I would go for that over dropping petrol excise or anything like that,” Ms Hale said.
“For me, I have really noticed how many people who needed help during Covid never got anyone to care for them.
“And I have a lot of single friends who are nearing 50 and are renting and will probably never been able to afford a house.’’
Allan Bargwanna, 87, has lived in or around Valentine for almost 40 years and considers himself a swinging voter.
“I believe the major issue is economics and how young people are actually going to live,” he said.
“My major concern is for the future of Australia, the job opportunities for our young people and how they are going to continue to thrive in an environment that is very tough at the moment.
“Housing prices continue to increase, everything to do with the cost of living is becoming harder, so we need policies that are going to put that under the microscope and actually help people and their futures.’’
Michael Nolan, 72, said addressing the everyday battles of families should be the major talking point during the election campaign.
“How people are going to put food on the table and a roof over their family’s head, that is what is most important,” he said.
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