Leichhardt federal election: Candidates speak out on day of election

Mum’s lasagne and sushi rolls are fuelling the Far North’s Jeremy Neal and Matt Smith as voters stew over which fresh-faced political aspirant will replace Leichhardt’s longest serving office bearer in an election tipped to be a heartstopper.

Mum’s lasagne and sushi rolls are fuelling the Far North’s Jeremy Neal and Matt Smith as voters stew over which fresh-faced political aspirant will replace Leichhardt’s longest serving office bearer in an election tipped to be a heartstopper.

Every second counted on a frenetic Friday with both contenders politely declining an invitation to participate in a joint photoshoot with the Cairns Post as the hustings hit its final crescendo.

Retiring Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch hands out how to vote cards for the federal election at the Australian Electoral Commission pre polling centre, set up at the Tjapukai Cultural Park in Smithfield, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

It’s estimated that more than 35,000 Far North Queenslanders had already voted prior to Friday with the question of who will succeed retiring MP Warren Entsch, after more than a quarter of a century representing the sprawling electorate, still unanswered.

Labor candidate for the federal seat of Leichhardt, Matt Smith hands out how to vote cards ahead of the federal election. Picture: Brendan RadkePicture: Brendan Radke

Mr Smith, who as a former professional basketball player was no stranger to a buzzer-beater finish, said the result would almost definitely go down to the wire.

“It’s a toss of a coin,” the former Cairns Taipans centre said. “This is a very important seat. (Treasurer) Jim Chalmers said this is the one that could determine the government.

“The people of Leichhardt have a very important decision to make.”

LNP candidate for the federal seat of Leichhardt Jeremy Neal hands out how to vote cards ahead of the federal election at the pre-polling centre at the Screen Queensland studios. Picture: Brendan Radke

Prior to the weekend, Mr Neal opted to bunker down at an early voting centre in Bungalow, busily beavering amongst inner city voters.

“I wish we had more time to talk to more people,” Mr Neal said, wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat.

“The last couple of days a lot of the conversations have been about crime. Particularly from pensioners and retirees who are worried about their safety at home.”

Labor candidate for the federal seat of Leichhardt Matt Smith, with his partner Renee Kerr and parents Wendy Smith and Mike Smith ahead of the federal election at the pre-polling centre at Tjapukai Cultural Park in Smithfield. Picture: Brendan Radke

Meanwhile, Mr Smith took the battle to the northern beaches serving up how-to-vote cards and stump speeches in Smithfield.

“The interactions you have with people can really bring you up,” the ALP candidate said. “You get out, you start talking to people and you get that lift.”

Labor hasn’t conducted any polling in Leichhardt with ALP strategists believing that 10 candidates on the ballot would muddy their numbers in an election that is tipped to likely come down to preferences.

Retiring Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch hands out how to vote cards for the federal election at the Australian Electoral Commission pre polling centre, set up at the Tjapukai Cultural Park in Smithfield, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Additionally, fears of anti-Labor sentiment following the state election, where three of the region’s four Labor MPs were booted out, and rusted-on Warren Entsch voters had some political observers tipping the LNP to retain the seat.

But Labor’s frontman for Leichhardt said he wouldn’t back away from the fight.

“People understand the difference between federal and state politics,” Mr Smith said. “I don’t think that’s a risk for me at all.”

Labor Party Senator Nita Green, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith speak to the media at the Australian Electoral Commission pre-polling centre set up at the Tjapukai Cultural Park in Smithfield, a northern suburb of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Coalition hammered home concerns around crime and cost-of-living on election eve while Labor hopes Mr Chalmers’ warnings of “savage cuts” will help sway swing voters.

“There’s so much on the line for Far North Queensland around cost-of-living and crime,” Mr Neal said.

“A lot of effort has to go into it because this is a battle that we need to have and we need to win.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal and Liberal supporters in Earlville late in the campaign. Picture: Richard Dobson / Newswire

Both candidates have been seemingly indefatigable throughout the long campaign with Mr Neal adding that a hearty home-cooked meal had helped stave off exhaustion.

“Mum’s been bringing back all my childhood memories,” he said. “I love a good lasagne. She makes the best one that you could imagine.”

Mr Smith said he’d taken to eating on the run: “Chicken katsu roll with a bit of avocado. You get your protein, good fats and it gives you some energy.”

Across the country, 570 voters flocked to early voting centres with record numbers expected to have cast their ballot prior to election day.

Originally published as Leichhardt federal election: Candidates speak out on day of election