The May 21 federal election is fast approaching and, along with the candidate opinions, we want to hear from voices within the Calare electorate leading up to the nation's big day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last Monday, the Central Western Daily introduced The Pub Test, a panel of everyday people from the electorate who'll be sharing their diverse views with readers as the election rolls on.
So far, we've profiled three members of the panel we'll hear from across the Calare electorate.
You can check out their views below:
- PUB TEST PROFILE | Gail Copping: Cost of living will be key on campaign trail
- PUB TEST PROFILE | Pete Manwaring wants to see more culture, diversity and creative arts in the Central West
- PUB TEST PROFILE | Matt Bayada has his eye on banks and economics for federal election
Here, the remaining members of our panel give us some more insight into their thoughts on the 2022 election.
Stuart Pearson, economic developer
Mr Pearson says Labor's long delay in announcing a candidate for Calare has created an opening for independents and other minor parties.
"At this stage, one independent has made a mark for herself in Calare, and that's Kate Hook," he said.
"Whether I vote for her or not, she's gained 'first-mover advantage' and may be the one to give incumbent Nationals MP Andrew Gee a run for his money.
The best outcome for Calare in this election will be a transition to a marginal seat, because that's when it'll get the attention of all the major parties.
- Stuart Pearson
"Calare is the first federal seat west of the Blue Mountains, represents 180,000 people and has grown in population by 25 per cent in the past 10 years.
"As the seat's in safe Nationals hands [13.3 per cent], Labor don't appear to be as interested in trying to win the seat, but the best outcome for Calare in this election will be a transition to a marginal seat, because that's when it'll get the attention of all the major parties."
Ingrid Pearson, architect
Mrs Pearson says she has noticed that most of Calare's federal funding "seems to be funnelled into Orange - which is a real concern as Bathurst, Lithgow, Mudgee [and surrounding communities] are all essential regions of the electorate".
"Coming from Indonesia, which was an autocratic regime grounded in conservatism when I grew up, I was a conservative voter for a long time once I came to Australia," she said.
"But once I became more entrenched in the architectural profession, I started seeing that some of the conservative policies were wanting, which convinced me to adopt a broader mindset when casting my vote."
Mrs Pearson says she swings her vote "towards the person, or the party, who I feel will deliver the best outcome for the community".
Brayden Jurd, childcare worker
Mr Jurd believes the current government is stuck in its way and is unwilling to compromise because it might affect its image.
"The LNP have been in for three terms and what have they done for us?" he asked.
"I can't think of anything that they have done that has affected me in a good way."
I feel like an independent would be great for our area as they don't belong to a party and would have our interests in mind
- Brayden Jurd
A bit closer to home in Calare, Mr Jurd believes the current member - Nationals MP Andrew Gee - doesn't have much of a community presence.
"I think he's a bit out of touch," he said. "He did send me a birthday card, which was nice, though.
"I feel like an independent would be great for our area as they don't belong to a party and would have our interests in mind."
He isn't necessarily tied to one particular party, saying: "I vote for who I like the best at the time - whoever is offering to make our country better and has a clear plan."
He did say, however, that his only preference for voting is not voting for the Greens.
Mackenzie Hastie, administration support
Considering the past years, Mr Hastie believes "we could be in a much worse place" with the current government.
"Obviously there's areas where it's lacking in the avoiding scandals department and could be doing in other areas, but I would wager that a Labor government would be just as scandal-ridden and also be behind in some areas, given the nature of politics, human nature and power," he said.
"We'll have to wait and see for things to go further down the line as the results of the last while."
While Mr Hastie said he pays attention to politics on a national scale, he said he hasn't necessarily paid much attention to local politics.
"I probably ought to," he said.
He is not aligned to any particular party: "I can't say I've voted incredibly consistently with any of the major parties," he said.
To read more stories, download the Central Western Daily news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send a letter to the editor using the form below ...