Kevin Rudd's PNG policy announcement was a particularly divisive issue.
Some were critical of the agreement.
“I really think refugees should be embraced, cared for, looked after and treated humanely,” one voter said. “I'm not happy about it."
“The problem is not Australia, it's where they're from. So if the foreign policy does not help with these countries, we're going to still have the problem…100 years down the road we're going to have worse,” said another.
While others were in favour.
“I think that's very good because there's a lot of people as it is in this country and its very hard living and everything else. By coming more people into the country is not a good idea at all,” said one Western Sydney resident.
Watch: Western Sydney speaks: PNG solution
When asked about key issues going into the election, the economy came up time and again.
Some voters expressed concern about the mineral boom dissipating while others worried about the national debt.
Employment, education and healthcare were also highlighted.
Watch: Western Sydney speaks: Key issues
Western Sydney is a key electoral battleground this election, and voters had differing views on why it was so important.
Many identified multiculturalism and growing population in the area as key issues while others said it had been largely forgotten and unemployment was high.
Watch: Western Sydney speaks: Election importance
Despite being only weeks away, some voters were still undecided on who they would vote for on September 7, while others disclosed their pick and why.
But one voter had ruled them all out and made a compelling case as to why.
"I'm not voting for anybody because all they do is backstab each other," she said. "It's not about what they're going to for the country anymore it's just about bitching about the other person. They've made a joke out of it so why should we care?"
Watch: Western Sydney Speaks: Who will you vote for?
Many voters said they had noticed a spike in youth unemployment in the area.
"It is very high, in my area,” said one woman, herself unemployed.
“Almost every one of my friends hasn't been in a job in almost two years,” said another young voter.
But for one resident, the answer was simple.
“I'd say if they want to get off their butts and look for a job they'll find one,” she said.
Watch: Western Sydney Speaks: Youth unemployment
