Beyond tax cuts: A Lane Cove resident on what really deserves federal support

Ahead of the federal election we’re speaking with North Shore locals about their political choices, the values guiding their decisions and how their perspectives have evolved over time.

Today, we’re grabbing a coffee with Lane Cove local Anna, 31, who has been living and working on the lower North Shore for eight years.

It’s a fresh Friday morning, and the plaza where we meet - The Canopy - is buzzing with young families. Cafes are spilling over with patrons enjoying their morning coffees, so we get ours to go from Birdwood Café and head toward the village green.

In 2018, when Anna moved here, it was “a hole in the ground.” Looking around now, it’s clearly a cherished and well-used community space.

North Shore Lorikeet: What are the issues on your mind as you think about voting?

Anna: The key ones are very much about social security, rent control and more funding into Medicare.

I find it extremely frustrating that the NDIS is a policy area that isn’t talked about more, or in a better way. Depending on your definition of disability I think it’s something like one in five Australians experience disability, and yet things like the NDIS are considered as kind of fringe supports that aren’t for the mainstream. I want more focus, more funding and more compassion.

What did you think about the Budget?

I was really disappointed in Labor’s budget relating to tax cuts. That kind of money is always better spent by the government for the benefit of the community - $200 a year in my pocket isn’t going to do me nearly as much good as that money would do in the hands of a government focused on spending it in a way that helps the most vulnerable among us, like increasing the pension up to a living wage, disability support, maternity leave and increasing Medicare.

Speaking of Labor, how do you feel about the current MP, Jerome Laxale?

I had a fit of idle curiosity the other day and I pulled up the parliamentary register of interests because I didn’t know much about Jerome, having recently been moved into the Bennelong electorate. And there was a really charming little line about how he was given a box of avocados … and he was very clear he was going to donate it to the community. And I thought that showed a pretty conscientious-minded, responsible public servant, and I think that’s promising.

What about the Liberal party candidate for Bennelong, Scott Yung?

As I was walking up from the bus stop this morning I noticed Yung had a tent set up with people harassing passers by. I just cannot bring myself to trust any Liberal party candidate, and I do not like being harassed when I’m out and about doing my shopping.