In pictures: What do Sydney voters want?
- Published
Australians go to the polls on 7 September. Katie Beck asked voters in Sydney what they wanted from their government. Jean Burton, 67, retired primary school teacher: "I want to see the costings from the Liberals. They say they’ll balance the budget, but how? They haven’t made public what they will do with the federal budget if they get elected, and I want to see how they will spend the money.”
Jack Rex, 40, owner, Ragamuffin muffin bakery: "I would like to see us change to a system of proportional representation in the lower house. It would better represent the demographic makeup of the country. Our two-party preferential system means that the concerns of only 2% of the population are the only ones that count."
Mark Simmonds, 58, musician: "I want to see more views expressed in the media. I live in a public housing building and in that building, the only paper anyone reads is the Daily Telegraph. I think voters are unfairly influenced by the domination of just one newspaper that is making a campaign to get rid of the Labor party."
John Kiserliss, 53, college instructor: "I think we need more access to dental care under the national medicare system. Poor dental health is a problem here because care is too expensive under the current system."
Youssef Saleh, 40, owner, St Mina grocery store: "I want the politicians to come down here and see how bad the situation is on the street. The government needs to look after people a little. Rents and bills are getting so high, local business are struggling and closing down. Instead of supporting big business, the government should support small businesses."
Gerard Bernat, 40, contract manager and father of three: "Greater support for quality day-care. Everybody struggles to find enough day-care. As soon as people conceive, they are looking for day-care straight away. It has become an accepted shortage here, there is a limit on space and facilities and quality child care."
Georgia Leaker, 24, recently unemployed copywriter: "Young voters want job security, better resources and not to have to intern forever. We want to be treated like adults. Twenty percent of young voters are living below the poverty line because they can’t get work and for someone with two university degrees that’s tragic."
Janani Muhunthan, 23, children's rights advocate: "A commitment to our international obligations. It's not just a matter of politicians making bad decisions, they are reneging on international obligations. The legal age of criminal responsibility in Australia is 10 years old. The UN recommends a minimum of 12 years old. That is a big issue in parts of rural Australia. I think this needs to be a priority."
Aly Tommy, 22, student: "Freedom of justice and freedom of rights. As a developed nation, Australia should be able to take care of our own responsibilities and not send our problems on to undeveloped nations. That will only make bigger problems down the line."