‘Energy, crime, cost of living’: Leichardt pre-polling reveals voter priorities ahead of Federal election
Key election issues of crime, energy and the cost of living were at the top of voter’s priorities as early voting kicked off in one of Queensland’s most marginal seats.
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Key election issues of crime, energy and the cost of living were at the top of voter’s priorities as early voting kicked off in one of Queensland’s most marginal seats.
Just over a week and a half before election day pre-polling stations in the seat of Leichhardt were buzzing with voters and volunteers, vying to secure a candidate who would deliver on key north Queensland issues.
Cyclists Dawn Newman and Sue Kosky, both from Trinity Beach, rode their bikes to the Tjapukai early voting centre in Smithfield to submit their vote.
“The main thing I want to see is crime clamped down in our area, there’s been horrific cases of cars being burnt and people being robbed,” Ms Newman said.
“My other big one is energy. We all want to see Australia with cleaner and better energy, but we can’t do it so quickly without destroying our economy.
“I’m voting Liberal National Party, because I would never vote for Albanese,” Ms Newman said.
Ms Kosky said she would also vote for the LNP, despite favouring Leichhardt Labor candidate Matt Smith over his LNP counterpart, Jeremy Neal.
“I would’ve preferred to have voted for Matt (Smith), because Jeremy Neal doesn’t appeal to me, but I also don’t want to see Albanese back in,” Ms Kosky said.
“Tackling crime up here is definitely my biggest focus in this election.”
Restaurant owner and Kewarra Beach resident Matthew Turner said lowering the cost of living was his main voting priority.
“The price of food, price of energy and the price of housing need to come down,” Mr Turner said.
“You only have to look at how many people are living in their cars because they can’t afford rent, it’s disgusting, it’s not okay.”
Retiree Sean McGinn has volunteered for the Labor Party in Leichhardt for fourteen years, and is more confident than ever that the ALP can secure the seat.
“We’ve got a good chance of winning it with Warren Entsch’s retirement,” Mr McGinn said.
LNP MP Warren Entsch retired in 2025 after 26 years continuous service as the member for Leichhardt.
“Traditionally, there’s a two or three per cent swing against the party of a long term member, and in this case, that two or three per cent gets it down to a virtually zero margin,” Mr McGinnn said.
“Labor’s commitment to strengthening Medicare, particularly building more urgent care clinics, is key for me this election.
“It keeps people who have an earache from clogging up emergency departments if their GP isn’t available, that’s really important for this region.”
Coffee cart owner Margaret Ramsey, from Parramatta Park, volunteered for One Nation at the Tjapukai pre-polling centre.
“One Nation is going back to logic and common sense Aussie values, old fashioned Aussie values,” Ms Ramsey said.
Ms Ramsey said crime, energy and corruption in government were her major election issues.
“We never used to have a crime issue, now it’s our biggest issue,” she said.
“Electricity prices are through the roof, renewables are through the roof, and it is making the country go broke.”
Greens candidate for Leichhardt Phillip Musumeci spoke to voters outside the Smithfield pre-polling station, and said they were concerned with protecting The Great Barrier Reef and the impacts of climate change.
“Voters are worried about long term issues, not just short term,” Mr Musumeci said.
“They’re worried about flooding on Thursday Island and other extreme weather events, they’re worried about climate change
“Cost of living means many things, if your house has been damaged by extreme weather, that’s a cost of living - everyone can recognise that.”
Early voting centres are open across Australia until 2 May, 2025.
Originally published as ‘Energy, crime, cost of living’: Leichardt pre-polling reveals voter priorities ahead of Federal election
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