heat

per cent. Also noteworthy is the fact that prices have shot up significantly in recent weeks, which the Coalition is explaining off as a response to global pressures following a war in Europe and the after-effects of the pandemic.

These factors may have led to the respondents challenging the Coalition spin of being better economic managers, opting to go with the ALP instead.

Despite this support, the ALP was not able to see a stronger fall of the vote in their favour as the preferred political party.

The lack of a clear-cut choice for PM warrants a somewhat deeper analysis.

One could call this in Anthony Albanese’s favour: the Prime Minister has had many years to win the trust and faith of the Indian Australian community and a draw for him is as good as a loss here.

At the same time, could it be said that perhaps Anthony Albanese should have done more to present himself as a capable leader? It looks as though while there has been a vacuum left by ScoMo to better engage with the community, Albo has not been able to grab the opportunity to make deeper inroads.

Which party do you think will do a better job in addressing cost-of-living pressures?

C OMMUNITY-SPECIFIC q UESTIONS: C URRY NIGHTS AND BORDER BANS

Two questions specific to the Indian community were raised in our poll.

One of these related to the Prime Minister’s frequent curry nights on social media.

The constant barrage has emerged as a flashpoint with about 23 per cent of respondents, who reported that they are now less likely to vote for Scott Morrison. 8 per cent of the respondents though did say that the curry posts had a positive impact on their voting intentions. (One cheeky comment suggested that perhaps Scott Morrison should participate in Indian Link’s MasalaChef 2022 competition.)

An overwhelming majority of 69 per cent reported that Morrison’s curry habits had no impact on their voting intentions.

The second Indo-specific question was on the government’s border closures, especially with India at the height of the pandemic in early 2021, and threatening returning Indian-Australians with imprisonment and hefty fines. The dismay in the community was well reported, with the rhetoric coming out that the government would see a backlash at the hustings.

Have two years of closed borders and 2021's temporary ban on travellers returning from india, intended to protect Australians during the pandemic, influenced your voting intentions?

It is rhetoric that has seen some, but not overwhelming, support.

31 per cent of the respondents reported a negative view of the government on taking this hard stance, claiming it will affect their voting intentions. 25 per cent admired the government for their hard approach in keeping Australians safe. The large majority of 44 per cent said that it made no impact on their voting intentions.

Perhaps the Indian-Australian voter is appropriately discerning, not swayed by such posturing. When it comes down to action, the decision is made by factoring in relevant information, assessing alternatives and weighing the evidence.

(Indeed, one respondent wrote, “Wearing saris or achkans, greeting with namastes, and showing off your curry skills make for some great social media posts. They may be liked and shared by hundreds each time, but that’s all they are – social media posts.”)

Have PM Scott Morrison's frequent 'curry nights' on social media influenced your vote in any way?

I SSUES OF CONCERN : C OST OF LIVING TOPS THE LIST

As expected, cost of living is highest on the mind of the Indian-Australian voter. Healthcare and education follow at numbers two and three. These three issues directly affect the hip pocket, and as largely first-generation migrants with limited financial means, better access to good healthcare for the older respondents and good education for the more recent migrants, are paramount. National security for Indian-Australians was less of a concern: coming from India which sees border skirmishes frequently as well as insurgency within, the safety in their new home seems to take at least that issue off their minds.

The fact of growing international tension militarily, some of it in our own surrounds, has perhaps not hit home yet.

This is unlike the constant clamour about climate change, the dangers of which our social narrative has finally begun to take notice of, and with greater frequency.

Environment concerns stood at number 5 while social inclusion and sadly, women’s issues brought up the rear, a year after #March4Justice rallies took place across the country. Now on the campaign trail, both parties continue to field questions on their plans to make Australia safer for all women, most recently poked at the second leader’s debate to ‘define a woman.’ Perhaps one might be tempted to blame this low rank on a skewed gender ratio in the survey, a sobering thought when advocating for women’s rights should be a genderneutral issue.

The issue of a federal integrity commission, too, came up frequently in comments. “It will be terrible if corrupt practices creep into the system with outcomes as one sees in countries such as India,” one respondent observed.

In summary, it seems neither party or leader has cut through or outdone each other in the Indian Australian community. As one jaded respondent noted, referring to a rise in divisive politics this past year, “there is no united Indian community in Australia, so… no one [party] can do any good to the community.”

But with the last few days of this campaign still to play out, it is a good time for both leaders to reach out and talk to this strong and influential voting bloc. The keys to the lodge may well rest with the Indian diaspora.

With inputs by Rhea

L Nath

In order of importance, rank the following issues of concern that have influenced your voting decision. Eg: If 'health' is the most important issue for you, rank it as #1 Co S t of LI vING

Federal election, Saturday, 21 May 2022

It’s important that you understand how to vote correctly.

On election day you need to complete two ballot papers:

• a green one for the House of Representatives

• a large white one for the Senate.

On the green ballot paper you are voting for a representative of your local area or electorate in the House of Representatives.

On the white ballot paper you are voting for representatives of your state or territory in the Senate.

Don’t worry if you make a mistake.

Just ask for another ballot paper and start again.

White ballot paper – you can choose to vote either above or below the line