Federal election 2025: Early polling booths open for voting in Albany, street poll reveals support for Labor

Early voters flocked to Albany’s York Street polling booths on Tuesday to cast their vote in the 2025 Federal election with a quick street poll revealing a preference for Labor. The Albany Advertiser spoke to 26 people casting their vote for O’Connor as they exited the polling station inside Shop 2 at 120 York Street. Half said they would be putting Labor at the top of their ballot with four supporting the Nationals, three for the Greens, two for the Liberals, and four declining to say. Albany voter Jo Whitehead was one of the 13 who voted for Labor with leadership at the forefront of her mind. “When the leadership of the world is so chaotic and frightening, I’m hoping that it’ll improve in Australia or we’ll be wise enough to vote a decent leadership in time,” she said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s going to happen now, but I hope we’re wise enough to understand what’s happening in America.” Leadership was also top of mind for Labor voters Ida Gillingham and David Grant from Orana. “I have confidence in the Prime Minister and the local candidate,” Mr Grant said. June and Richard Hynes, from Denmark, both voted Labor because they dislike Peter Dutton, a stance echoed by fellow Denmark resident Robert Hunter who added that the Liberals had messed up for 10 years. “People have short memories,” Mr Hunter said. “It is about the social factors, treating people equitably and not robbing the poor to give to the rich. “Look at what’s happening in America.” Support for the Nationals was also present with Michael and Rhonda Lucas voting for the party because they felt it represented regional Australia. “The Liberals and Nationals have much the same views but I feel the Liberals are centred on the cities,” Mr Lucas said. “We need to get away from that.” The Mt Barker couple also support the Nationals’ commitment to repeal the Federal ban on live sheep exports, with Mr Lucas having firsthand experience of the trade through his work on a sheep-exporting ship. “It’s nothing like it is portrayed on the television,” he said. The Greens also received a modest number of supporters with single mother of four Evelyn Weldon from Spencer Park in Albany saying she agreed with their social policies. “The cost of childcare is ridiculous and I think university study and TAFE should be free,” she said. “I also agree with the Greens on helping more with Medicare and think those things would all help with the cost of living.” King River’s Ken Dryden said he would not be voting for either Labor or the Greens, saying preservation of cultural heritage and farmer support was the forefront of his concerns. “The biggest thing for me is trying to retain our cultural heritage here in Australia and that includes every Australian,” he said. “I’m all for supporting farmers. Keep the Sheep is a well worthwhile campaign and people should back it. “I’m against the proposed South Coast Marine Park. “It’s something very dear and near to me, the outdoors and the coastline, and I believe that what they’ve done is immoral against the people of the Great Southern.” One O’Connor voter, who asked to remain anonymous, said housing affordability and availability were their main concerns and suggested a cap on home values. “I think it’s all about infrastructure, and everyone’s spruiking we should have more housing and more of that, more of everything,” they said. “But no one’s talking about how do you actually service all of that; all the housing, where’s the water going to come from?” The Advertiser also spoke to several holidaymakers who were casting their votes for electorates outside of Western Australia. Labor voter Ben Baxter from New South Wales’ Central Coast said the cost of living, environment, and nuclear were his main concerns this election. “Probably the idea that we would replace the coal mines that are in our electorate with nuclear, it’s not something that I would want to think about — I think renewables are a much better way to go,” he said. “We need to expand renewables, and I just don’t think the Liberals really even understand climate change full and the impeding disaster if we don’t do something.” Fleur Joyce, from Canberra, said she voted Labor to end the sheep trade and because she believed in social justice. For Liberal voters Marion and Steve Weston from NSW the cost of living crisis was their key issue followed by dislike of the Prime Minister and his support for the Voice to Parliament Referendum in 2023. “I don’t like the Prime Minister, he has not fulfilled his promises,” Mr Weston said. “Bills are sky high and The Voice vote divided the country.” There are eight candidates vying for the seat of O’Connor: Lindsay Cameron, Trumpet of Patriots; Giz Watson, Greens; Heidi Tempra, Nationals; Philip Arnatt, Legalise Cannabis; Rick Wilson, Liberals; Darren Moir, Labor; Gemma Johnston, One Nation; and Deonne Kingsford, Australian Christians. Albany’s early voting centre is located inside Shop 2 at 120 York Stree. It is open every day except Anzac Day up to and including election day on May 3: * April 22-24, 8.30am to 5.30 pm * April 25, closed * April 26, 9am to 4pm * April 28-May 1, 8.30am to 5.30pm * May 2, 8.30am to 6pm * May 3, 8 am to 6pm