Victoria is shaping up to be a crucial battleground in this election.
Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton see a path to the Lodge running through Victoria.
Each leader holds a collection of seats across Melbourne’s west and southeast.
However, Victoria has at least 16 electorates that are considered too close to call, with several key to the major parties’ hopes on May 3.
NewsWire visited early voting locations this week, speaking with voters in the critical seats of Chisholm, Kooyong, Dunkley, and Macnamara.
Residents largely identified three major concerns driving their votes — cost of living, housing, and crime.
Chisholm
In Chisholm, a marginal seat, first-term Labor MP Carina Garland is battling to retain her position, while former Liberal MP for Higgins, Katie Allen, attempts a comeback after losing in 2022.
Due to a boundary redistribution that abolished Higgins, the contest has tightened, with a slim 3.3 per cent margin separating the candidates.
Dianne Hawkins, 81, noted that cost of living and crime were the most pressing issues.
“Obviously it’s cost of living. It doesn’t affect me so much, but it’s very tough for my kids and grandkids,” she said at the Ashburton scout hall.
“Youth crime is also a major concern. I know it’s mainly a state issue, but it’s a problem across Australia.”
Ms Hawkins said she was voting for the Liberals, aligning with their values.
Another Chisholm voter, Anita Hogan, in her 60s, identified crime and housing as key concerns. She said she was supporting Labor.
“I believe in their education policies,” she explained.
Similarly, Marcia Atkinson, 77, said she would vote Labor, impressed by the government’s achievements over the last term.
For Ms Atkinson, housing affordability for young people was the top priority.
Kooyong
Next door in Kooyong, Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer is aiming to unseat teal independent Monique Ryan.
The electorate has seen its share of controversies this campaign — from allegations involving Dr Ryan’s husband tampering with campaign signs to claims Ms Hamer misrepresented her housing status.
On Wednesday, a white supremacist disrupted a candidate forum, resulting in a dramatic confrontation.
Despite the drama, Cash Bodhni, a local, said he would be voting Labor.
“I align with their values,” the 33-year-old said, highlighting housing and HECS debt as top issues for his generation.
Tamrae Kerr, 62, another Kooyong voter, plans to support Dr Ryan.
“I’m really concerned about the Liberal Party’s push for nuclear energy. I believe renewables are the future,” she said.
While the environment is her main concern, Ms Kerr acknowledged the cost of living was a major issue too.
Dunkley
At the Carrum Downs community centre in Dunkley, early voters were choosing between a classic Labor-Liberal battle.
Labor’s Jodie Belyea is defending the seat she won in a 2023 by-election after the death of Peta Murphy, facing Liberal challenger Nathan Conroy.
Ken, 77, said he would vote Liberal.
“I just feel we need change, and the Liberals have the right ideas,” he said.
Cheryl Robello agreed, citing concerns about crime and government spending on the referendum campaign.
Meanwhile, Paul Evans, a 57-year-old teacher, said he was voting for the Greens.
“My main concern is the ongoing violence in Gaza. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
He also mentioned equitable housing, education, and the climate crisis as major issues.
Ross Atkins, 52, hadn’t yet voted, saying he wanted to speak with candidates first.
“No one’s convinced me yet,” he said, mentioning safety and energy prices as his main concerns.
“I installed solar panels, but now the tariffs have gone up — there’s no real incentive,” he said.
Macnamara
In Macnamara, voters at the St Kilda lifesaving club were deciding between Labor MP Josh Burns, Greens candidate Sonya Semmens, and Liberal MP Benson Saulo.
Polls suggest that while Saulo is unlikely to win, his votes could tip the seat to the Greens.
Paul Larkin, 63, said he would vote for the Greens.
“I think they can be a strong third voice in Parliament,” he said, naming cost of living and housing as the biggest concerns.
Mark Merton, 60, said he would back “Big Josh” Burns.
“He’s been a great local MP, and Labor’s not bad overall,” he said.
“You couldn’t vote for Dutton, could you?”
After being recently robbed, Mr Merton also cited crime as a key election issue.
Voters will continue heading to early voting stations, with a break scheduled for Anzac Day.
