Federal Election 2022: First thoughts from early voters at Box Hill Town Hall

An exclusive poll of some of the first early voters in the 2022 federal election has potentially set the tone for four marginal seats in Melbourne’s east. See the results.

The Coalition seem to have its nose in front at an eastern suburbs voting booth on the first day of pre-polling, an exclusive Leader survey reveals.

In an exit poll of 100 voters who cast their votes at Box Hill Town Hall, 40 voters told Leader they backed the Liberals, with 30 voters supporting Labor.

The Greens received 12 votes, independent candidates received 10 votes, while two people voted for United Australia Party, and six voted for minor parties.

Early voters were able to cast their votes in four key seats all held by the Liberals — Chisholm (0.5 per cent), Kooyong (3 per cent), Deakin (4.7 per cent) and Menzies (7 per cent).

A gauntlet of eager volunteers gathered on both sides of the front doors to dish out pamphlets for their candidates.

Such was their enthusiasm, an AEC official ordered them to move signs and materials as the campaigners had blocked disabled parking spaces.

The booth is in the key battleground of Chisholm, Victoria’s most marginal seat, held by Liberal incumbent Gladys Liu by 0.5 per cent.

Ms Liu did not visit the venue on Monday morning, instead opting to try and woo voters at the Holy Family Parish church in Mt Waverley.

Labor’s Chisholm candidate Carina Garland, Burwood state Labor MP Will Fowles, and Justice Party leader Derryn Hinch were among those to drop by Box Hill Town Hall.

Mr Hinch, who is looking to return to Canberra in the Senate, said daily meal allowances for those in aged care were among his party’s major concerns.

“In that royal commission, they (the Liberals) said the average spend on aged care food was $6.07 per person,” Mr Hinch said.

“Last time I was in jail, I got $10 a day plus all the free milk I wanted.

“We could have steak, chicken, anything, and pensioners can’t do that in or out of aged care, and that is wrong.”

Local resident Judy was the first to cast her vote at the booth just after doors opened at 8am.

She didn’t reveal who she voted for, but said she was going to be away on election day and wanted to get her voting over and done with.

Most visitors to the booth on Monday were able to get in and out relatively quickly, with lines only forming for short periods of time between 10.30am and noon.

Pre-polling will continue at the Town Hall until Friday, May 20 — a full list of opening hours and venues can be found here.