Residents in Chisholm electorate have their say in Federal Budget 2025-26

Chisholm in Melbourne’s southeast is one of Victoria’s most marginal seats and a key federal election battleground. Has the budget shifted the views of residents of Anthony Drive in Mount Waverley?

Welcome to Anthony Drive.

A quiet, winding row of homes in Mount Waverley in the heart of Chisholm, one of Victoria’s most marginal seats and a key battleground ahead of the federal election.

Its residents, like much of the country, were divided on whether the Prime Minister – who shares their street name – deserves another term in power.

For most, last night’s budget wasn’t quite enough to get them over the line, with couples, parents and a retiree waiting to hear the full suite of election commitments to come before cementing their vote.

Karen Hennekam, Rachael Brick with dog Bentley, Leanne Quinn and kids Max and Quinn, Alan Ainsworth and Kalminur Abdukeram. Picture: Josie Hayden

First-term Labor MP Carina Garland is fighting to hold on to the suburban seat – which stretches from Glen Iris to Wheelers Hill – while former Higgins MP Katie Allen looks to make a return to Canberra.

It’s anyone’s game, with the latest redraw of the boundaries narrowing the margin to just 3.3 per cent.

Anthony Drive resident and mum-of-two Leanne Ryan, 40, said she could be swayed either way depending on the pledges from the two major parties.

Ms Ryan wanted to see long-term cost of living measures that would help future-proof life for her children Quinn, 9, and Max, 11.

“Going to the supermarket is getting so expensive,” she said.

“Thinking about them (Max and Quinn) growing up, and thinking are they going to be able to afford a house, as well as an education … that’s a scary thought for them.”

The redraw of Chisholm boundaries has narrowed Carina Garland’s margin to 3.3 per cent. Picture: Tony Gough

While instant power bill relief is on the way for the Ryan’s, with every Australian household to get $150 in rebates from July 1, there was little in the budget to future-proof her little ones in terms of housing.

A few doors down, Alan Ainsworth, 77, had already made up his mind on which box he would be ticking.

“I’m voting Liberal. I’ve always voted Liberal,” he said.

With Mr Ainsworth keen to see more spending on coal and nuclear power, as well as defence, the pensioner gave last night’s budget two thumbs down.

Mum of two Leanne Ryan, with Max and Quinn, is worried about cost of living. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Government pledged to unlock “$8bn of additional investment in renewable energy”, and committed only 2.1 per cent of GDP for 2025-2026 to defence.

As a pensioner, Mr Ainsworth, however, will benefit from a freeze on PBS scripts until 2030.

More funding for renewables, however, was a major win for Rachael Brick and Karen, who said a focus on a “sustainable future” could influence their vote.

Karen, who works in HR, said she would also be looking for a plan to sustainably recycle EV batteries and plastics.

Ms Brick, a teacher, was glad to see a bigger spend on education, with a $137bn investment in schools over three years under the Better and Fairer Schools Funding deal.

Karen Hennekam and Rachael Brick, with dog Bentley, care about education and renewables. Picture: Josie Hayden

Cutting student debt by 20 per cent for three million Australians was also welcome news to Ms Brick.

“We’ve created a society with so many challenges for young people, we have to work to support them,” she said.

Cost of living was front of mind for Kalminur Abdukeram, 66, who said the cost of housing, transport and services was “really hard” for older Australians.

Ms Abdukeram, however, will benefit from cheaper medicines, more bulk billing, and energy bill relief.