Pandemic response topic priority for Bruce voters in Dandenong
Voters in the Bruce electorate say the federal government’s response to the pandemic could determine what party they vote for this election.
South East
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It’s a booth that is known to stick with Labor at federal elections but that could change this year due to the pandemic.
The Dandenong High School booth in Ann St, Dandenong, is part of the seat of Bruce in Melbourne’s south east.
It includes the suburbs of Mulgrave, Dandenong, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Hampton Park and parts of Berwick.
The seat has been held by Labor’s Julian Hill since 2016.
Liberal’s James Moody, Green’s Matthew Kirwan and United Australia Party’s Matt Babet are taking on Mr Hill for the top spot.
When Leader spoke to people in Dandenong, voters said their decision on who to vote for at the election was based around the pandemic.
Tina Phan, of Mulgrave, said she was most likely voting for Labor at the election due to their policies.
“I still need to do a bit of research,” she said.
“But I think Scott Morrison’s handled the pandemic poorly with the whole situation with the vaccines.
“It just wasn’t rolled out fast enough.”
She said her main concern at the time was young people couldn’t get the jab and that was an issue for her working in the retail sector.
Leanne Linehan said her vote was going to Labor.
“The Liberal government have certainly made some interesting choices with regard to the pandemic,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s been fair to all Australians, I think they made some stupid decisions.”
Mitch Reed, of Doveton, said he was sticking with Labor.
“They continue to prove that they have the best interest for middle-class working people,” he said.
“That’s really important to me working as a tradie.”
Myrna Buis, of Dandenong, said the Labor Party was more appropriate to handle the government and Stoja Keser said her beliefs aligned with theirs.
Even though Labor is a marginal seat in Bruce, some voters still backed the Liberal party.
Cindy, of Dandenong, said she had always voted for them and this year wasn’t going to be any different.
She said she had lived in the area for three years and was happy with the way local issues were tackled.
“Dandenong was the last place I wanted to live, I’ve never liked it,” she said.
“But things are slowly improving and they are trying to make the area look nice.”
Kartick said he was also voting for the Liberal party due to the way they handled the pandemic.
“I think Scott Morrison really stepped up as a prime minister,” he said.
Kartick, who migrated to Australia, said he hoped issues of immigration were addressed at the election.
Rodney, of Springvale, and Harry from Dandenong agreed the Liberal party had managed the pandemic well.
