New South Wales voters are seeing plenty of the political leaders this campaign, with Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten strongly focused on a state where marginal seats in multicultural communities could tip the balance of power.
The swinging Liberal seat of Lindsay was Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's target today. He has been based in Sydney, which is Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s backyard, all week.
Mr Shorten has also focused on the NSW Central Coast, where he is hoping to reclaim the seats of Dobell and Robertson.
"Well we've got an outstanding candidate in Dobell," he said in Wyong yesterday.
"She's awesome. And, our candidate in Robertson is equally awesome."
Mr Turnbull has already been to the seats of Lindsay, Reid, Banks and twice to Macarthur. He believes Sydney's west is a vital region to retain.
"Western Sydney is the heart of the city," he said on Sunday outside Campbelltown Private hospital.
"This is where the future growth is to be found."
There are six government seats in and around Sydney with margins of under three and a half per cent.
One of those is the southwest surburban seat of Banks, which was won by the Coalition last election after 30 years of Labor rule.
The current MP, David Coleman, has received reinforcements from senior ministers, including Treasurer Scott Morrison and the Mr Turnbull.
Labor candidate for Banks, Chris Gambian, wants ethnic diversity celebrated even further in Australia. Source: SBS
But his opponent, Labor candidate Chris Gambian, 39, is unfazed.
The son of Indian migrants told SBS he wants a better future for all.
"This is a great country for opportunities,” Mr Gambian said.
“But it only remains a great country for opportunities, if we have a government that believes that, and a government that says to everybody 'if you're prepared to do your bit, we'll do our bit and back you in and make sure that you can thrive'."
Mr Gambian wants Australia to celebrate its ethnic diversity.
"We're past tolerance, we're actually at a place where we get strength from each other," he added.
Gaining support from multicultural communities is crucial in many electorates.
In Bennelong - former Prime Minister John Howard's old seat – there is a strong Chinese and Korean presence for generations.
There are regularly Cantonese performances at the Eastwood Senior Citizens Centre.
It is a presence Liberal MP John Alexander said he's attempting to use as a constant source of insight.
"It's becoming a more mature community, and I think that engagement is richer," the former tennis pro told SBS.
Former tennis player and Bennelong MP, John Alexander, has told SBS his electorate is the "poster child" for multiculturalism. Source: SBS
“We are really almost a poster child for how multiculturalism should work, and it is working really well here.”
Mr Alexander believes engagement can be utilised to determine what matters most to communities and electorates across the country – particularly his own.
"I think we've really tried very hard to find out what the issues are and what we can do, outside of looking for better infrastructure, what we can do locally to help people in need," he said.
