Victorian elections 2022: Cost-of-living policies on voters' minds ahead of election day

On 26 November, Victorians will choose whether Labor or the Coalition should lead the state. Almost 4.4 million Victorians are registered to vote in the biggest state election in history.

Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Liberal Leader Guy Matthews greet ahead of the 2022 Victorian state election leaders debate, in Melbourne, Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Victorians go to the polls on Saturday, November 26. Credit: IAN CURRIE/AAPIMAGE

Victoria is going to polls for the first time since COVID-19 disrupted the world.

Over 1,600 voting centres will open tomorrow while 155 early voting centres have already been operating across the state since 14 November. The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) says that more than one in three eligible Victorians has already voted.

So, what are political analysts predicting?

According to a special Roy Morgan Snap SMS Poll which was conducted with 1,195 Victorian electors on 22 November, the ALP on 55 per cent (down 2 per cent points since early November) has an election-winning lead over the LNP Coalition on 45 per cent (up 2 per cent points), on a two-party preferred basis.

Voting centre (Representative image). Source: AAP / DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAPIMAGE

This latest poll has indicated a swing of 2.3 per cent points away from the ALP since the 2018 state election.

Zareh Ghazarian, a senior lecturer in politics at Monash University, tells SBS Hindi that recent opinion polls have consistently shown Labor winning the election in Victoria.

“While there may be a swing against the government, opinion polling hasn’t suggested that it will be enough to cause a change of government.

“Education, healthcare and public transport have been major issues that the parties have focused on. These are traditional areas of focus for state governments,” he says.

Victorian Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy disembarks from a train at Merinda Station during the 2022 Victorian state election campaign in Melbourne, Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Victorians go to the polls on Saturday, November 26. Source: AAP / JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

Berwick, located in the city of Casey, is one of several seats to watch closely on election night to determine whether the ALP Government led by Premier Daniel Andrews is returned with a majority or not.

Mr Zareh points to the latest census which found that 9.3 percent of Casey's residents are of Indian descent.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews boards the media bus during the 2022 Victorian state election campaign in Melbourne, Thursday, November 3, 2022. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE

“This is a significant seat as it is currently held by the Liberal Party with a very slim majority of just 1.3 per cent. The Liberal Party must hold onto this seat if it has any chance of winning government, making every vote crucial," he said.

But what are voters saying?

Mother of two Tharsini Mathy, 39, is a voter in Berwick.

Tharsini Mathy, 39, is a voter from Berwick (city of Casey).

The major concerns for her are the cost of living, fuel price and rising mortgage rates.

"There have been numerous schools and hospitals built in the Casey region in recent years, but we need to address the cost of living now," she comments.

Thirty-four-year-old Manthan Parikh shares a similar view and says he would like more policies that offer relief from cost-of-living pressures.

Manthan Parikh, 34, runs an event management company in Melbourne.

"We also need better roads and more support for business owners who have faced enough post-COVID," Mr Parikh adds.

Shikha Raina, 18, is a first-time voter from Bundoora.

It is Ms Shikha Raina's first time voting in the Victorian election this year. Credit: Ms Shikha Raina

She too says her vote will be for policies that will lower the cost of living but which will have long-term effectiveness.

Ms Shikha says, "Inflation is high. I will research the policies of the parties before I vote, but my focus will be long-term economic growth and sustainability including climate change."

Aaryan Kaul, a 20-year-old university student, believes that an increase in wages will help eliminate costs of living pressures.

20-year old Aryan Kaul is a Monash university student. Credit: Aryan Kaul

Having researched which political party would be more aligned to address cost of living, he has already voted. "I expect the new government will take steps to increase wages," he said.

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