By Karen Poh
HEALTH, industrial relations, the economy and climate change are shaping up as vote-deciding issues for Lalor in the 24 November Federal election.
The seat of Lalor has been a Labor stronghold since 1949, held previously by ALP heavyweights Barry Jones and Dr Jim Cairns.
The only upset was in 1966-69, when Lalor fell to Mervyn Lee from the Liberal Party.
Deputy Labor Leader Julia Gillard has held the seat since 1998, and a swing of 8.8 per cent would have to be recorded against her for Lalor to fall to the Liberals or another candidate in this year’s federal poll.
While Ms Gillard defeated Liberal candidate Peter Curtis in the 2004 Federal election, she suffered a 1.5 per cent swing against her, while Mr Curtis recorded a 4.3 per cent swing in his favour.
The electorate covers 991 square kilometres and includes Toolern Vale, Melton, Sydenham West, Eynesbury, Mambourin, Wyndham Vale, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Laverton.
Star asked the candidates for Lalor what they considered to be the most important local issues for the upcoming election.
The economy came top of the list for Mr Curtis, and was second for Family First candidate Steve Gleeson and Roger Howe from the Australian Democrats.
Mr Curtis said it would be “impossible for a Federal Government to invest in education, in health, or in climate change without having a strong economy to provide the necessary investment opportunities”, while Mr Gleeson said he would address the “skyrocketing prices on the basics”, and call on the Government to reduce petrol tax, outlaw predatory pricing in the grocery industry and provide tax relief to first-home buyers.
Education, health and climate change was top of Ms Gillard’s list.
“I understand how important access to dental care and local GPs are to families in Lalor,” she said. “I also understand that the residents need and deserve access to broadband and quality education, not a nuclear power plant in their backyard.”
In addition to industrial relations and climate change, Greens candidate Jay Tilley listed multiculturalism as a priority for Lalor and acknowledged the cultural contributions refugees and migrants have brought to the community.
“Following the recent racially motivated attacks in Melton, I am appalled at the silence from both major parties to condemn the attackers’ behaviour,” he said.
On the top of Democratic Labor Party candidate Libby Krepp’s list was the call for more local representation. The ALP has neglected the West, she said, run by “career politicians from outside the area”.
