Rusted-on Ryan: Why voters have backed the same horse for 73 years

They have returned conservative MPs, with one notable blip, since World War II. We speak to voters in the blue ribbon westside seat of Ryan about whether they think that is hurting their area.

You don’t get more blue ribbon Liberal than the seat of Ryan, ironically named after Premier T.J. Ryan, a key figure in the great shearers’ strike of 1891 which gave birth to the modern Labor Party.

In recent decades it has been a stronghold of highly educated (twice the national percentage have been to uni), comfortably well off ($100k median household income) and overwhelmingly white voters.

No surprise then that in the 73 years the sprawling westside seat has existed, Labor has held it for a mere eight months — way back in 2001.

Even that was a bit of a fluke. After sitting MP John Moore quit, forcing a by-election, dental therapist Leonie Short squeaked in for the ALP on the back of discontent about the GSt and other issues.

Federal Member for Ryan Julian Simmonds, with wife Madeline and children Theodore and Isabelle. Picture: Richard Walker

Colourful Hong Kong-born Michael Johnson re-took the seat for the LNP after sorting out a citizenship problem (he was technically British).

This time, the party has a star candidate in Julian Simmonds.

Brisbane City Council’s youngest-ever treasurer, he enters the 2022 campaign with a six per cent margin.

There is an unmistakable longterm trend to the Greens, who came within cooee of outpolling actor and Labor aspriant Peter Cossar in 2019.

Despite a three per cent drop in his primary vote in 2019, this selection is Mr Simmonds’ to lose with many consituents happy to admit they are rusted-on conservatives.

Accountant Stephen Firth has always voted conservative because he believes they are the best economic managers.

At the Kenmore Plaza parcel pickup, in the shadow of a huge billboard depicting the photogenic first family of Ryan — Julian, wife Madeline and children Theo and Isabelle — accountant Stephen Firth said his support for the conservative side of the fence came down to fiscal management.

“Economic prudence is important to me. I firmly believe there is a need to spend at the moment,’’ he said in defence of the Government’s hip pocket Budget.

“But the forward estimates show they will be using a lift in resource prices to pull back that debt.’’

Mr Firth rejected suggestions the loyalty of Ryan voters had worked against them.

“Sure, they don’t spend as much as a they do in a seat like Brisbane, but they don’t take this area for granted,’’ he said.

Small business owner Sheree Day says the LNP has always had her vote because they understand and look after businesses.

Small business owner Sheree Day said she always backed the conservative side of politics.

“I don’t trust the Labor Party. When they were in power it was harder for business people,’’ she said.

She also did not think being so loyal had meant Ryan was shortchanged.

Helen Jane said she was unimpressed with both major parties, particularly their commitment to stopping climate change, but recognised her vote would not sway the outcome in such a safe seat.

Helen Jane is a swinging voter but accepts Ryan is blue ribbon LNP so her vote will not sway the outcome.

“This is a blue ribbon electorate. My vote probably won’t count for much but I will still vote because I’m proud that I can,’’ she said.

“I don’t think that being such a safe seat translates to less (infrastructure).

“It’s a very affluent area. The schools are very good, even though there may not be enough of them.

“I don’t have an issue with the roads. We have more than enough.’’

Originally published as Rusted-on Ryan: Why voters have backed the same horse for 73 years