Paky the key on Saturday

By Melissa Meehan
AS the country gets set to go to the polls, after what has been described by many as the most boring federal campaign in history, it seems Pakenham holds the key to one of the fastest growing electorates.
The town’s ever-expanding population could sway the election result in McMillan, according to Liberal candidate and incumbent Russell Broadbent.
In what he describes as a “weird election”, Mr Broadbent said it was always very difficult to guess how the public would vote – even more so considering 7000 voters were in Pakenham last election compared to 14,000 in 2010.
He said if voters voted nationally (for either Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott rather than their local members) it would be a very close result.
“Last time around it went very well for me, I have a lot of support locally – while there was a 6 per cent swing in the rest of the country, we stayed the same.”
Labor candidate for McMillan, Christine Maxfield said the election was on a knife edge.
“Voters will be deciding whether they want a Tony Abbott Government or a Julia Gillard Government,” she said. “I am running for parliament because I believe we are putting Australia at risk by voting a Liberal Party member here in McMillan.”
A tough fight to the end has been predicted in the marginal seat of LaTrobe, which covers Lakeside.
Liberal candidate and incumbent Jason Wood believes it will come down to heart.
“I consider myself in second place and never take anything for granted,” he said. “As a local resident, I’ve spent the best part of 40 years living in La Trobe and I will keep fighting to see the best results because my heart is in it.”
Labor candidate Laura Smyth said she believed she would win the election and said there was no particular area that held the key to success as the community was so diverse. “I think I will win the election locally as I am true to my word, work hard and I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in,” she said. “This election will be on a knife edge both locally and nationally, given the intense debate and political climate.”
If Ms Smyth can oust incumbent Liberal MP Jason Wood it may help the Labor Government offset predicted heavy losses in other states.