Record numbers vote early in Monash

THERE’S no Early Voting Centre in South Gippsland, which has been a sore point with local Monash voters, but those living in the south-western part of Bass Coast have been voting in big numbers at Wonthaggi and Cowes.

At Cowes in particular, there have also been big numbers of absentee voters among those on holidays at the popular tourism spot.

It’s in line with a record number of people turning out to vote early right across Australia, with almost 7 million of the 17 million total number of voters already having cast their votes.

Pre-poll voting is already up towards 3 million, more than double the number who voted postal last time around.

The increased Early Voting and Postal Voting numbers are being partly driven by COVID-19 fears but also on-trend with recent elections.

Monash Independent Candidate, Deb Leonard of Phillip Island, said she was pleased with the level of support she was receiving in the southern part of Monash, but acknowledged that her recognition factor in West Gippsland and in the Latrobe Valley wasn’t high.

“It’s a big area, virtually from Nar Nar Goon across to Moe, including Warragul and Drouin, and it takes time to get your name out there, so we’ll just have to wait and see,” Ms Leonard said.

“But if first you don’t succeed, it’s a good platform for trying again,” she said, handing out ‘how to vote’ cards in front of the Cowes’ polling booth.

Also taking a hand, supporting the Labor candidate for Monash, Jessica O’Donnell, was Jordan Crugnale who said she believed the margin in Monash was on target to tighten between Liberal and Labor.

“I think a lot of people would like to see the seat more marginal and I think we’ll get that this time. Whether we see Jessica being successful, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Ms Crugnale said.

Despite the fact that as many as 50 per cent of people voting before election day, Labor still hadn’t released its policy costings until late on Thursday before the election.

Clearly it won’t be a factor for many people.

But one statistic that might make a difference is the record low unemployment rate at 3.9 per cent which is effectively “over full employment”, which is why we are seeing so many retail and hospitality businesses advertising “staff wanted apply within”, especially in our busy coastal areas including Inverloch, San Remo and Cowes. Wonthaggi hospitality and retail is also short on staff.

Record low unemployment numbers are being reflected in the jobs’ scene locally with dozens of jobs available in hospitality and retail.

Locally you can post an early vote at the following locations:

• Wonthaggi Senior Citizens Centre, 46-50 Murray St, Wonthaggi. Opening hours: Monday, May 16 to Thursday, May 19 8.30am–5.30pm. Friday, May 20 8.30am–6pm.
• Cowes St Philips Anglican Church Hall, 102-110 Thompson Ave, Cowes. Opening hours: Monday, May 16 to Thursday, May 19 8.30am–5.30pm. Friday, May 20 8.30am–6pm.