Chisholm voters have their say ahead of federal election

With the federal election looming, we asked voters in a crucial electorate in Melbourne’s east how they’re voting.

The seat of Chisholm is set to shape the result of the federal election.

It’s an electorate that could help determine the result of this year’s federal election, and voters in Chisholm appear pretty split on who is getting their vote.

The Essex Heights Primary School booth in Mt Waverley is considered a bellwether booth – where voters have picked the result of each election since 2004.

It’s part of the seat of Chisholm in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, which also includes the suburbs of Box Hill, Glen Waverley and Blackburn.

More than half of Chisholm residents were born overseas, with about 20 per cent claiming Chinese heritage.

The seat has been held by the Liberal’s Gladys Liu since 2019.

The margin is 2.9 per cent, making it a marginal Liberal seat.

Gladys Liu is recontesting the seat of Chisholm. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Labor’s Carina Garland is taking on Ms Liu for the seat.

When Leader spoke to shoppers at Mt Waverley Village Shopping Centre, opinions were divided on what party people were voting for, and many didn’t know the names of the local candidates.

Joyce Spiller said she definitely wouldn’t be voting for the Liberals.

“Not with the job they’ve done at the moment,” she said.

“They don’ have any compassion for people who are struggling — look what they’ve done to people in aged care,” she said.

John Hodgson, aged 92, said he had always voted Labor and wouldn’t be changing this election.

“Their policies suit me,” he said.

Mr Hodgson said health and youth unemployment were the main issues he was concerned about.

Mt Waverley voter John Hodgson, 92, has voted for Labor his entire life.

He described the performance of the Morrison Government as “not the best”.

“I think they made a few mistakes but with the pandemic the way it’s been I think anyone in power would have been in a bit of a similar situation.”

Meg, of Mt Waverley, said she hadn’t decided who she was voting for.

She said the economy, how little the government was spending on defence, schools and hospitals were her main areas of concern.

She said the Morrison Government had not performed very well.

Don Cole said all politicians were the same and there wasn’t much difference between the two major parties, but he would probably vote Liberal.

“One idiot is as bad as the other,” he said.

Mt Waverley voter Don Cole is not impressed by either major party.

Mt Waverley voter Donald Brown is sticking with Scott Morrison.

Janet said she would not be voting Labor.

“I don’t think they are honourable and I don’t think they actually follow through with what they say, and I really hate the way they treated Kimberley Kitching.”

Donald Brown said he would be voting Liberal.

“I think they have a pretty good record and they have the experience now and I think Morrison is doing a good job,” he said.

But Rosemary said she won’t be voting Liberal.

“Pretty hopeless Prime Minister I think, no action on climate change which is long overdue and no vision for the future,” she said.

But Margaret said the Libs had her vote

“I think they’re the better managers of everything,” she said.

Originally published as Chisholm voters have their say ahead of federal election