While out campaigning and at listening posts, Steph Hunt says not an hour goes by without residents coming to her and describing their dissatisfaction at rising cost-of-living pressures.
It’s why at just 34, and the head of a legal practice, she put up her hand to run as a federal Liberal candidate for the progressive federal seat of Melbourne.
She has her work cut out against incumbent and Greens leader Adam Bandt.
But Hunt—who has also worked as a legal advisor to former foreign ministers Julie Bishop and Marise Payne—says she’s motivated because of the drug and youth crime epidemic.
“I’m out door-knocking, holding listening posts and attending community events daily, and residents from all corners of the electorate continue to speak to me about three issues in particular—cost of living, the shocking rate of crime, and the lack of support for small business,” she told The Epoch Times.
“Not an hour passes without a local coming up to me and describing their frustration and fear at barely being able to keep their head above water. The rising cost of housing, power, food and transport is causing people a lot of stress.”
Her concerns are highlighted by a gang brawl at the recent Moomba Festival.
Hunt said she was disappointed Bandt did not come out and publicly condemn the brawl, which broke out in front of families, children and elderly festival-goers.
“The horrible scenes at Moomba were yet another example of the lack of leadership and lack of action by the government on crime. And what did Adam Bandt have to say about it? Nothing,” Hunt said.
Hunt said if she were elected, she would strongly advocate for stronger knife, bail, and online laws, including making it illegal to glamourise violence, drug, and property crimes on social media.
“Crime in our community is out of control,” she said. “They’re not my words, they’re the words of young people, mums and dads, the elderly, and business owners.”
‘Businesses Are On Their Knees’
Meanwhile in the Hawke electorate that covers a vast expanse west of Melbourne, federal Liberal candidate Simmone Cottom said cost-of-living pressures were adding to the ongoing mental health crisis.“We need more mental health services,” Cottom told The Epoch Times.
“This is why I’m so proud about [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton, who is going to double the Medicare subsidy sessions for mental health.”
In her experience, it took three weeks before she managed to see a doctor.
“You don’t know if you’re going to be sick in three weeks,” Cottom said.
Hunt is also concerned about the state of business in her community, with hundreds of businesses forced to close over the past three years due to rising inflation.
Australia has been identified as having the most significant decline in household disposable income among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in recent years.
And her comments coincided with the sentiments of Central Coast father Morgan Cox, who caught the attention of many Australians after he appeared on ABC’s Q&A program, and said he was working two jobs with three kids, but on the verge of homelessness.
Something Has to Change With Energy Bills
Households and businesses have been hit hard by rising electricity bills.This is why Cottom has been out campaigning in her electorate promoting Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy plan, if the Coalition was to be elected.
Cottom—also an accountant—will see her main opposition for the seat of Hawke coming from Labor’s Sam Rae at the upcoming 2025 federal election.
“Cost of living is one of the top issues throughout the whole electorate. It’s such a unique electorate—Sunbury, Melton, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh,” Cottom said.
Families are choosing to not use air conditioning and heating because of the bills.
“Things should be affordable for people who have basic needs.
She questioned why nuclear didn’t have more political support in Australia.
“Even the prime minister of the UK who is left leaning has just signed on for nuclear. Why are we not looking at it?”
Another big issue Cottom has campaigned on has been the state of roads in her electorate.
“Calder Freeway, Tullamarine, Melton Freeway, Western Freeway. Even on my way out here [to the Autumn Festival in Ballan], I aquaplaned three times because I hit potholes and got covered in water,” she said.
“There’s no pride in the Western suburbs.
“There’s rubbish and stones. Let’s just clean it up.”
