The former Labour Party hub shows signs of volatility amid the ongoing inflation crisis.
News Analysis
As Australia runs through the 2025 federal election campaign, western Sydney continues to shape it as one of the more interesting and consequential election battlefields.
The fast-growing region that suffered long-term lockdowns during the pandemic is now one of many ground zeroes in Australia’s living crisis.
Nearly 7% of the 143,000 companies in western Sydney are expected to close in the next 12 months as customers are locking their wallet strings, according to CreditorWatch.
The Labour Party’s former base has 10 of 14 federal elections, but the region shows signs of instability.
While the seats held by workers such as Werriwa, Reid, Bennelong and Parramatta are at a margin of less than 6%, others face pressure from independence and grassroots moves.
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The new Parramatta Light Rail will be seen on December 20, 2024 along with Parramatta CBD in the background of Western Sydney, Australia, on the first day of service. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
Nearly 3 million residents of Greater Sydney make up 10% of the country’s vote.
In a vast and complex area that covers Sydney’s main growth corridor, young families often “moves west” to “moves west.”
It is also home to the working class and low socioeconomic pockets, along with ethnic enclaves made up of communities in China, Vietnam, India and the Middle East, and home to the working class and low socioeconomic pockets.
General views of Macquarie Street, Liverpool, western Australia on July 14th, 2020. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
The key to Kiribiri
Regional decisions in the voting box will provide a preview of Australia’s elections over the coming decades, according to Professor Andy Marks, executive director of the Sydney West Centre.
“How west Sydney decided in this election will be a window into elections over the next decades,” he writes.
The Centre has identified six major battlefield seats that could ultimately determine who will govern after the 2025 election.
“If Labour holds a seat, it will go a long way in ensuring that they don’t become the first one-term federal government since 1931,” Professor Marks said.
“However, as west Sydney shakes, it could provide Peter Dutton with momentum to be taken away from power. These seats in western Sydney will be the centre for determining the fate of the Albanese government.”
Several Cabinet ministers also come from the region, including Tony Burke (Minister of the Interior), Chris Bowen (Minister of Energy), and Jason Claire (Minister of Education).
A campaign poster for Dai Le, who successfully contended for Fowler’s federal seat on May 1, 2022, in Cabramatta, Western Sydney, Australia. Daniel Y. Ten/Epoch Times
Western Sydney’s business is failing faster than anywhere else
However, the labor government faces major challenges, with the throbbing of manufacturing and industry in western Sydney shaking under the weight of inflation.
CreditorWatch’s March Business Risk Index shows the region’s worst performance nationwide against business closures.
Includes Bringelly-Green Valley (8.6%), Merrylands-Guildford (8.1%), Canterbury (7.7%), Auburn (7.7%), and Bankstown (7.2%).
However, if the situation in western Sydney is ruled out, the situation in the western region looks disastrous compared to other parts of New South Wales. top.
Over the past 12 months, business failure rates have surpassed the national average of 5.3%. Most of these regions overlap with voters held by the workforce.
On April 27, 2022, people were shopping at a market outside of Western Sydney, Australia. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
Creditor watches are attributed to a high concentration of small businesses with limited cash buffers trying to deal with the surge in commercial rent, wage hikes, rising electricity bills and lower consumer demand due to cost-of-living pressures.
“Western Sydney has the weight of the state’s economic future, but under labour, it is being treated with light empty,” NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman said in relation to the state government.
Badgerys Creek member Tanya Davies pointed to a 42% increase in payment defaults as a sign of “collapse.”
The right wing is related to living expenses and living expenses
Political debates have shifted to issues like the coalition’s stay-at-home policy in recent weeks, and the comparison between Peter Dutton and US President Donald Trump is likely the number one motivation for voters.
“There are many voters in western Sydney who earned the income that once guaranteed homeownership, financial security and family life.
“The cost of living, affordability of housing, immigration will become the issue that defines this election. For many, it is considered a referendum that they believe will help them grab a slice of their great Australian dream.”
The aerial view shows vacant land separated for housing on January 11, 2024 in the western suburbs of Sydney. Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Prameshwar Kumar, who moved from Canberra to Parramatta in 2024, hoped to find a better lifestyle, but admits he is struggling right now.
“We thought Sydney would offer a better opportunity, but so far it’s been a struggle,” he told the Epoch Times, adding that nearly 40% of his income will be spent on rent.
Recent cuts from popular programs such as The Active Kids, Creative Kids, First Lap and Back-to-School vouchers have also put an additional burden on the family.
Workers facing their own “teal” moment?
Economic stress is the main driving force, but the Labour Party’s stance on the Israeli-Gaza conflict poses threats left political aspects and longstanding support from Muslim Australians.
According to the 2016 census, 59.2% of Rekemba residents were identified as Muslim.
In the 2019 election, Labour votes at Lakemba’s booth reached over 75%. The seat of Watson (held by Minister Tony Burke), including Lakemba, Greenacre and Punchbowl, Muslims make up 23.4% of the population.
But its loyalty is being tested.
Independents like local Ziad Basyouny and pharmacist Ahmed Off are the sitting ministers of Burke and Clare, supported by Muslim votes.
Protesters will march on the streets against Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon at a protest rally in Sydney’s central business district, Australia on September 29, 2024. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
These independents may not win, but their presence can suck up enough votes to tilt the balance in a tight contest.
Burke, the incumbent of Watson, faces a direct backlash. Burke held his seat at a margin of 13.5%, winning 65.1% of his 2022 primary vote (after preference).
“I fought racism and prejudice against my entire career,” he said. During the coalition’s proposed changes to racism laws, he pointed out his leadership for respect at Rekemba.
The Albanese government’s diplomatic awareness of Palestinian sovereignty through the UN vote was not sufficient to quell the unrest.
