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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

'I've had enough': Loyal Labor voter switches to One Nation

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A lifelong Labor voter, Silvana Rota, is switching her allegiance to the One Nation party due to dissatisfaction with public transport, energy costs, and affordable housing.
  • Rota feels her loyalty to the Labor party has been misplaced, citing a perceived lack of progress from both state and federal governments.
  • She is particularly drawn to One Nation's stance on reducing immigration, emphasizing it's about managing numbers rather than opposing immigration itself.

Silvana Rota, a voter whose family has a long history of supporting the Labor party, has declared she will not vote Labor again, stating, "I've had enough." Raised in Sydney's southwest by Italian migrants, she was taught that Labor championed the working class and the poor. However, she now believes her loyalty was misplaced and that the party has lost her respect.

No way am I ever voting Labor again. I've had enough.

— Silvana RotaExplaining her decision to switch her vote from the Labor party.

Rota expresses frustration with the public transport services in her home area of Edensor Park, describing it as a "black hole" for investment. Energy bills are another significant concern, particularly during hot Western Sydney summers when air conditioning is essential. Her most pressing issue, however, is the lack of affordable housing, which has led her adult daughter to consider moving to Tasmania.

Feeling that neither the state nor federal governments have made sufficient progress, Rota plans to support Paul Hanson's One Nation party. She stated, "I'll give them a go." This shift reflects a broader trend where One Nation is targeting Western Sydney, a key demographic for the party.

They've lost my respect.

— Silvana RotaExpressing her disillusionment with the Labor party.

While Australia's federal immigration policy is a significant factor for Rota, she clarifies her position. "It's not about race, it's about numbers," she said, noting her parents were immigrants. She questions the current high levels of immigration and advocates for prioritizing the needs of existing residents. One Nation's push to significantly reduce new arrivals appeals to her perspective.

Western Sydney gets so hot and muggy … and we have to run the air conditioning in summer all the time.

— Silvana RotaHighlighting concerns about energy costs in Western Sydney.

One Nation has been making inroads in New South Wales, with past electoral successes. Despite internal party changes, the party aims to expand its reach. Election analyst Antony Green notes that One Nation's support often increases further from central Sydney, suggesting potential in western and southwestern Sydney, though their prospects are generally stronger outside the city.

There's not enough supply. The young kids, what are they going to do? Just stay with their parents forever? You can never get ahead.

— Silvana RotaDescribing the affordable housing crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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