It may seem unlikely, but there’s a strong turn-out by the United Australia Party in the seats being contested by the so called teal independents ,in Sydney’s Northern beaches.
The reason? Lots of young voters and small businesses affected by the lockdowns, the wellness crowd concerned about vaccine mandates and less engaged voters who have been wooed by the yellow ads.
According to people in Liberal Jason Falinski’s camp, the UAP vote is as high as 7-8 % in the beachside seat of Mackellar and with preferences expected to run heavily in favour of the Liberals it might make the difference to his political future.
Ironic that a coal magnate like Clive Palmer could be the salvation of a Liberal moderate in a seat better known as home to laidback surfers.
When it comes to deciding the next federal government, West Australian voters have the power, Premier Mark McGowan says.
The Labor leader says voters in his state could “very easily” determine the outcome of Saturday’s poll.
“If Western Australia does play that role, it will mean we are once again front and centre in national consideration,” Mr McGowan told reporters after voting at Safety Bay Primary School in Perth.
Labor has campaigned heavily in WA, with leader Anthony Albanese making four visits to the state since the hard border opened in March, and the ALP held its formal campaign launch in Perth for the first time since 1940.
On Friday, Scott Morrison spent his last full day of campaigning in Perth, a sign Liberal Party strategists also believe the state could be crucial in determining the outcome.
Labor insiders remain confident the party can win three Liberal-held WA seats: Swan, Pearce and Hasluck.
Mr McGowan said picking up more seats would lead to more attention being paid to the needs of WA, but noted he couldn’t remember the last time it had determined a federal election outcome.
The state, which has 15 of the 151 lower-house seats, has long been a federal coalition stronghold.
Mr McGowan has previously denied Mr Albanese is trying to piggyback off his own popularity, after he won a landslide victory in March 2021.