We went to Marrickville, where Opposition Leader and local member Anthony Albanese lives and has his electorate office, to ask inner west locals what they're thinking as the May 21 federal poll approaches.
Angelo Cuadaro, Barber, Haberfield
What issues will motivate your vote? I am not really happy with the Liberal party because of their immigration policy. I am trying to bring my missus here from Greece, she's three months' pregnant. I'm very upset. Immigration is very important for the country.
How engaging have you found the election campaign? I haven't really been watching the news about it, just in my shop when my customers are telling me about it and what has been going on. From what my customers are telling me they are happy with what Anthony Albanese has said.
Have you already decided who you will vote for? This is my first time voting, I just became a citizen a couple of months ago. I'm going to vote Labor. I am not sure if Albanese will be good or not but I am going to put my vote behind him. Every time someone new comes in they promise so many things but do nothing. I just want to give him a go.
Janelle Tatz, Prop Hire, Petersham
What issues will motivate your vote? Mainly climate change and wanting to see more women in parliament which we aren't seeing with this current government. And I've been a lefty all my life so I vote Labor, I think that's the best I can do, and I hate the Liberal party. I'm not a swing voter.
How engaging have you found the election campaign? I think the Liberal party are acting very desperate with their policies and bringing in new things to try and win voters. To be honest I think Anthony Albanese is fabulous but I am not sure if he's prime minister material. But hopefully he will gain strength and be able to do that role well.
How well do you think Anthony Albanese has performed? I think he is doing all right, I think he is coming across well. I do think he will win. I just think he needs a bit more guts about it.
Edward Bell, Freelance Copywriter, Annandale
What issues will motivate your vote? Climate change is a big one. Immigration is also very important, I come from a family that's first generation Australian - my parents immigrated here and I wouldn't have had the upbringing I had without that. It sucks that we have so much space but such stringent requirements for migration.
How engaging have you found the election campaign? I just moved back to Australia from Poland - I haven't really watched much of the campaign. I've noticed the posters hanging from people's balconies and especially the one of Scott Morrison saying "doesn't hold a hose" where he's in a Hawaiian shirt. I had to ask around to figure out what that was about because I wasn't in the country at the time. I think it's disappointing that a lot of the campaigning is about taking people down. Frankly we could use a bit of hope.
Have you already decided who you will vote for? I'm going to vote for the Greens. I did ABC's Vote Compass and I ended up being halfway between the Greens and Labor and when I looked up the policies of the Greens it very much clicked with where I think Australia needs to go.
Eve Jenkins, Health Communications, Marrickville
What issues will motivate your vote? I am looking for someone future focused, candidates or parties who are willing to look beyond just another term in office and have a long term strategy. I haven't decided who I am going to vote for - but I know who I'm definitely not going to vote for: we've seen a lot of mismanagement over Scott Morrison's term.
How engaging have you found the election campaign? I haven't really been following it. I am just finding this campaign so depressing and uninspiring. I have been consuming a lot less news than I normally would because I just find it an exercise in point scoring and name calling, it's just not engaging or inspiring. I'd like to see the candidates engaging over policies that really matter.
How well do you think Anthony Albanese has performed? From what I've seen I think he's been handling himself really well. It's difficult to get beyond the name calling and point scoring that happens when the two leaders get together. I think some of the things Albanese's been called out for in the news are a bit ridiculous - I care more about policies.
Russell, Retired, Dulwich Hill
What issues will motivate your vote? Integrity. I won't vote for a Liberal government - I'm in a very safe Labor seat, and I always vote Labor, but I am more determinedly voting Labor this election with Greens as my next preference.
How engaging have you found the election campaign? I've found it very interesting. Because we could have had a big change at the last election but that didn't happen because I think the Labor Opposition was too hopeful that Australia could cope with so much change. This Labor Opposition has been far quieter and a much smaller target - unfortunately that seems to be what's needed.
How well do you think Anthony Albanese has performed? I think he's performed very well. I think it's a shame journalists are putting all these gotcha moments on everyone because that doesn't reflect on what politicians are dealing with, which is mainly concepts. I think Anthony Albanese would be a good leader, a considered leader, and what he says is worth listening to.
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