Sydney synopsis

[The article referred to above is also on the REDWatch site at Federal Election ’07: The seat of Sydney – REDWatch]

Sydney used to be a hard-core working-class seat, which is why Labor has been so successful in the past. Over the last 40 years, the mean income and wealth of voters has risen exponentially, making Sydney one of the more wealthy electorates in Australia. Interestingly though, Labor has been able to retain it safely. Incumbent Labor MP Tanya Plibersek holds the seat by a very safe 17.3%.

The electorate is also one of the most educated, with a very high percentage of people having completed tertiary education or currently studying. Greens candidate Jenny Leong’s focus on repealing HECS and making education more accessible to all Australians may improve her vote. The explosion of interest in climate change and related environmental issues are also likely to help her.

Leong received 21.6% of the vote in 2004, the highest-ever record for a Greens candidate in the lower house. Nevertheless, there would have to be a massive unexpected swing for her to actually win the seat.

Recent polls indicate that, after preferences, the vote will approximate 66% Plibersek and 34% Anderson.

Source: South Sydney Herald November 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au