Cab polling

I conducted my first serious interviews last night on the upcoming Federal election. Early in the evening I started with a middle-aged, Aussie born, Kiwi resident. I picked him up at the domestic airport. He was in the film industry and struck me as a family man. Next time I’ll ask.

He readily indicated he wouldn’t be voting for Howard. When asked if he’d vote for Costello as Prime Minister, he wavered. He was voting on personalities. I wondered why he didn’t like Howard. ‘A bullshitter,’ he said. Would he vote for him if he was honest ? Once again he wavered, so I queried which honest politician he would vote for. He just laughed and changed the subject.

Later in the night I quizzed a young, single, corporate lawyer. She hailed from a strong Labor background in the Hunter Valley and now lived in Bondi. I asked her if she was a swinging voter but she wasn’t sure. In the last Federal election she’d been a law student at university and had voted Labor.

The issues which influenced her then were different to what her main consideration was now. Namely income tax. She was in her late twenties so I guess she was earning around $80,000. (Once again, next time I’ll ask). When asked what other issue would be important to her decision, she became vague.

I prompted her on security and she agreed it was important. Though she was more concerned about the effect of the new anti-terrorism laws on civil liberties. Spoken like a true lawyer. Finally, she stated she’d been too busy with work - like many young lawyers she was leaving work around 11pm - and hadn’t had the chance to look at what policies were on offer. She indicated making a late decision on who to vote for.

I got her home for around $20 but she insisted on paying the usual $25, as she wanted to ‘maintain consistency’. What a star !

There were a couple of other prospects who I never got off first base with. To wit, “How’s your night driver ?’ Unfortunately, in relating my earlier encounter with the launch of a new Maserati, this proved a real distraction... Especially when I mentioned I had video evidence !

Oh well, this is Sydney after all, where a Federal election easily takes a back seat to an appearance from this years model...