Royalties, jobs, TAFE, roads are key

WHAT THE VOTERS SAY

A brief snapshot of how a mix of Albany voters view the election.

Colin Ayres

Age: 59

Job: Potato farmer

Suburb: Bornholm

Who do you intend to vote for and why ?

Nationals. The reason for that is their track records of support for primary industries and the instigation of the Royalties for Regions program, which has been a huge benefit to regional WA.

What are the key issues in this State election for you?

The Nationals’ policy of increasing royalties on natural resources, which I believe is long overdue, and the policy positions that see infrastructure improvements, for example, the Liberal commitment to upgrade parts of South Coast Highway.

Who do you think, McGowan or Barnett, would make a better Premier?

I think Mr Barnett and Mr McGowan are honourable citizens.

Although I don’t like Mr Barnett’s seemingly autocratic style of leadership, I put him first before Mr McGowan, who I find to be lacking in positive policy platforms and tends to be portrayed as a more negative person.

Mark Mantell

Age: 19

Job: Plumber and gas apprentice

Suburb: Bayonet Head

Who do you intend to vote for and why?

The Nationals WA.

There is nothing more vital for stable and positive economic growth of Western Australia.

The Nationals’ policies will ensure a vibrant future for Western Australia including fighting for a better GST share, address-ing and overhauling of road blackspots, education in regio-nal Australia, and Royalty for Regions.

What are the key issues in this State election for you?

Jobs and the economy, education and the privatisation of Western Power.

Who do you think, McGowan or Barnett, would make a better premier?

Barnett. Since being in Government for nearly nine years, the Western Australian economy has expanded by 40 per cent — which, in comparison in that time frame, no other State has achieved.

Faith Orr

Age: 18

Job: Trainee vet nurse; waitress

Suburb: Bayonet Head

Who do you intend to vote for and why?

Labor because they support making TAFE courses cheaper for students and because I think Peter Watson is a really genuine guy.

What are the key issues in this State election for you?

A key issue for me is the ridiculous increase in fees for TAFE courses. This is hard for anyone, but especially for young people trying to maintain a job, possibly a home, a car and trying to fund our own study

Who do you think, McGowan or Barnett, would make a better premier?

To be honest, I don’t mind who becomes premier ... as long as they have an equal passion to enhance our beautiful community and listen to the needs of everyone, including children, young adults and the elderly.

John Blaney-Murphy

Age: 81

Job: Handyman

Suburb: Elleker

Who do you intend to vote for and why?

Peter Watson. I think he has done a lot for Albany and he certainly deserves another term.

What are the key issues in this State election for you?

The main one that concerns me at the moment is finishing the ring road.

There is too much traffic for the roundabout to handle at the moment with trucks. I’d also like to see extra funding for aged care.

Who do you think, McGowan or Barnett, would make a better premier?

Mark McGowan.

I think Colin Barnett hasn’t looked after the regions as well as he has looked after the city.