2017-02-24
Evan Webb
The sheer diversity of demographics provides a unique challenge for campaigners in the East Metropolitan region. The electorate itself encompasses a range of lower house seats, from inner city seats such as Maylands and Mt Lawley, to semi-regional seats such as Darling Ranges and Swan Hills, and a 'one size fits all approach would not be appropriate. In some electorates, particularly those closer to the city, the Greens have polled as high as 20% in the last federal election. We hope not only to retain this supporter base, but to expand it into new areas.
Renewable energy is a key component of the East Metro campaign as our lead upper house candidate, Tim Clifford, is the WA spokesperson for the initiative. Weve been provided with a couple of free kicks for this initiative: first Labor back-flipped on their renewable energy targets, and then Scott Morrison brought a chunk of coal into parliament at the same time as we experienced record-breaking rainfall in WA and severe heatwaves in the eastern states. Weve also found that voters want us to continue to stand against the influence of political donations from the coal industry.
Voters in the inner city electorates are very concerned about rampant and unsustainable developments. They feel that the consultation process is superficial, and that the loss of green spaces and influx of high-rise apartments may permanently alter the character of many of these suburbs. Weve also heard from many Liberal voters in these electorates who feel disenfranchised by the Liberal partys preference deal with One Nation. Weve been given an opportunity to connect with a new demographic, as they strongly oppose One Nations racism and scientific illiteracy.
In semi-regional electorates such as Swan Hills, West Swan and Darling Ranges, the preference deal between the Liberals and One Nation seems to be working in the opposite direction. Having spoken to voters in the area, theres a strong anti-establishment, anti-Barnett sentiment. They are sick of the current government, citing the states current economic position and the countless broken promises regarding public transport. The preference deal has been useful to remind voters that One Nation will reinforce the status quo.
The other critical issue facing these electorates is fracking, and voters have reacted incredibly positively to our support for a state-wide fracking ban.
There are several working class suburbs in East Metro, and these communities are suffering from high rates of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. Crime is seen to be an important issue in these electorates, and our harm minimisation drug policy has proven to be popular. Weve also found strong opposition to the exploitation of vulnerable people during the recent Centrelink debt-collection debacle.
Weve made engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities a high priority. This has been spearheaded by Rafeif Ismail, our candidate for Mirrabooka. She has received such a great response from the Sudanese community that international broadcaster Al Jazeera has given her air time. Similarly, Bhuwan Khadka, our candidate for Belmont, has forged strong support in the Perth Nepalese community and has received coverage by the national broadcaster of Nepal.
All we can say is that we really are the genuine alternative this election!
Photo: East Metro candidates at a barbecue. Robyn Walsh