Fadden election: Low turn-out feared amid pre-poll plunge

Fadden candidates have clashed on housing and crime, however it appears many voters don’t care, with the AEC revealing shockingly low pre-poll numbers. Full details.

There are fears of a historically low turn-out in the Fadden by-election after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) revealed pre-poll numbers are far below what was recorded at the last federal poll.

As of Monday, approximately 16,000 people had cast their vote at one of the electorate’s six early voting centres – about 27 per cent below the 22,000 votes cast at the same stage in the 2022 federal election.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the AEC was worried the trend would continue into polling day on Saturday.

“Typically, if someone casts their vote early in one election, they’ll do so in the next one as well – and we’re not quite seeing that here which makes us worry about low participation,” he said.

Mr Rogers warned that voting was compulsory, as it is at a federal election or a referendum.

“Failure to vote may result in a fine and will mean you have no say on who represents you in federal parliament,” he said.

Independent Stewart Brooker addresses a Meet the Candidates forum held by the Paradise Point & Northern Districts Progress Association on Tuesday night. Picture: Keith Woods.

On Tuesday, 11 of the 13 candidates standing in the election clashed in a forum organised by the Paradise Point & Northern Districts Progress Association on issues including crime, the housing crisis and the proposed Voice to parliament.

LNP candidate Cameron Caldwell said people needed to see “real action” on crime so that they would feel safe in their communities.

He announced that if elected he would create a “Fadden crime forum” bringing together “all levels of government” and community leaders to work on solutions.

“There is an opportunity for leadership in the federal representative in this area to try and bring everyone together so there is no more blame games and buck passing and to see action,” he said.

LNP candidate Cameron Caldwell addresses a Meet the Candidates forum held by the Paradise Point & Northern Districts Progress Association on Tuesday night. Picture: Keith Woods.

In a clear reference to the resignation of Stuart Robert, which has caused the by-election, Labor candidate Letitia Del Fabbro said the Gold Coast “deserves a candidate who will show up after being elected”.

James Taylor of the Australian Federation Party also criticised the calling of the election, questioning the cost to the taxpayer.

Ms Del Fabbro also slammed the LNP and Greens for “blocking” the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill in the Senate, which seeks to establish a $10bn fund to build social and affordable housing.

Scott Turner for the Green Party countered that the fund needed to go “further and faster”.

Independent Stewart Brooker said “underspending” on housing by both LNP and Labor governments on housing had been “ridiculous”.

“That’s why we’re in such a crisis right now,” he said.

Labor candidate Letitia del Fabbro addresses a Meet the Candidates forum held by the Paradise Point & Northern Districts Progress Association on Tuesday night. Picture: Keith Woods.

Among other ideas put forward were a proposal by independent Kevin Young to restore tax depreciation benefits for second-hand rental properties, a proposal for a public bank to invest in infrastructure from Jan Pakullus of the Australian Citizens Party, and proposals from One Nation candidate Sandy Roach to lower immigration and “ban foreign ownership of all residential property”.

Independent Belinda Jones proposed removing negative gearing tax breaks from properties used for short-term rentals, while Chris Simpson from the Australian Democrats said he was “passionate” about social and affordable housing and 100,000 units of each needed to be built.

Suzette Lucan, of the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party, said while cannabis was legalised medically, it was “unaffordable for people”.

“That’s the main reason why I’m here. I’d like to see people who are suffering be able to afford it,” she said.

The by-election is also being contested by Marnie Lee Davis of the Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia and Quentin Bye of the Sustainable Australia Party, who were not present at the debate.

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