Federal Election 2022: Ringwood North voters have their say

With the federal election looming, a school polling booth in Ringwood North could be a sure-fire victory ground for one major party.

Ringwood Heights Primary School in Ringwood North has been a 'rusted-on' Liberal voting booth since 2004. Picture: Kiel Egging.

It’s historically a spot which the Liberal party can rely on, but are voting habits about to change at this primary school in the heart of a marginal federal seat?

The Ringwood Heights Primary School booth in Ringwood North is considered a rusted-on booth — where the Liberal party has reigned supreme with voters since 2004.

It lies in the seat of Deakin in Melbourne’s outer east, which also includes the suburbs of Heathmont, Croydon, Vermont and Bayswater North.

Deakin has traditionally been a Liberal seat since its inception in 1972, and incumbent Liberal Michael Sukkar is seeking a fourth term at this year’s poll, tipped for May.

He holds the seat by a margin of 4.7 per cent, and will face competition from Labor’s Matt Gregg, the Greens’ Rob Humphreys and United Australia Party’s Bianca Gidley at the ballot box.

Leader spoke to locals at the school and nearby North Ringwood shopping centre to get their thoughts on who they’ll be backing in this year’s poll.

Only three of 10 voters said they were leaning towards voting for the Liberals, with two backing Labor.

The majority said they were undecided or were likely to back minor parties, including Ringwood North’s Dan, who said he would “put the major parties last”.

Dan said he would like to see the United Australia Party, the Liberal Democrats or One Nation perform strongly.

“The last few years have been pretty horrendous from a human rights perspective,” he said.

Ringwood North’s Sarah also said she was leaning towards independents, and was unimpressed about vaccine mandates.

Other residents including Brendan and Jaimie called for an upgraded playground near the school, while fellow resident Travis said the cost of living, homelessness and parks and open space were his key issues.

Ringwood North's Travis is yet to decide who he'll vote for at this year's federal election. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Ringwood North's Anita Bell wants to see Labor win this year's federal election. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Ringwood North’s Peter said he was normally a Liberal voter but was undecided due to the government’s support of the aged care sector, which he described as “a debacle”.

But Peter felt Mr Sukkar would probably be re-elected as Deakin’s MP, saying he had “got past his (branch stacking) scandal” and had delivered lots of key infrastructure for the area.

Anita Bell disagreed and said she would be voting Labor, and hoped Mr Sukkar did not get re-elected, saying he had “ducked and weaved” around the Government’s “sports rorts” scandal.

“He pops up for photo opportunities but I don’t think he’s done anything to help me in particular,” she said.

Fiona, on the other hand, said she’d seen Mr Sukkar “around a lot” and thought he and prime minister Scott Morrison would return.

“He (Morrison) has had it tough and done his best, and I can’t stand Albo (opposition leader Anthony Albanese),” she said.

Originally published as Federal Election 2022: Ringwood North voters have their say