Coasters go to the polls early
THE majority of Gold Coasters have already decided who they will vote for with 13 days left until Australians go to the polls.
That’s according to the Bulletin’s 2022 Federal Election survey, which also found more respondents planned to vote early or postal rather than on election day.
Of the 220 respondents, an overwhelming majority said cost of living and the economy were the issues most important to them this federal election.
Griffith University political analyst Paul Williams said cost of living was proving to the top issue for voters, even in affluent Gold Coast electorates.
“This election really is a referendum on Scott Morrison and the qualities we want in a prime minister and it’s also a referendum on cost of living,” Dr Williams said.
“Things like jobs, which are normally number one or number two in an election, are actually not number one or two this election because the unemployment level has come down.”
He said infrastructure and transport were also critical issues for Gold Coasters.
“Infrastructure is always important, particularly for growth areas like the Coast and particularly in the lead up to the Olympic Games,” the political analyst said.
“A lot of voters on the Gold Coast feel they’re the poor cousin when it comes to transport outside of Brisbane.
“So they will be looking for
a commonwealth government that could work with the state government and city council to provide really world-class, capital city-standard public transport and more roads because the city is becoming very congested.”
Dr Williams noted previous voter surveys conducted had found that 80 per cent of Australians voted on policy whilst 20 per cent voted on leadership. He said it was “plausible” that a majority of people would vote before polling day on May 21, given this trend was seen during the 2020 Queensland election.
He added a record number of votes would flow to minor parties and independents across Gold Coast seats.
The Bulletin compiled the free, anonymous election survey to hear from readers about what federal issues they think our politicians should be fighting for.
The survey included 16 questions covering everything from past and current voting habits, to election issues and the performance of sitting federal MPs. The results of the survey will complement the Bulletin’s election coverage over the next two weeks.