With just days to go before Australians vote on May 3, the race is heating up.
And, it’s not just about submarines or tax-cuts.
Across the country, the gap between the Labour and the Liberals have narrowed. It’s now a close contest that could be decided by just a few key seats. That’s why both major parties are doing everything they can to win voters over in the final days.
While both major parties’ pledge aims to respond to local needs, they, however, paint very different pictures of what each party believes residents care most about.
Burt and Tangney may be neighbours in Perth’s southern suburbs, but, politically, they are on slightly different tracks this election.
Tangney is shaping up as a battleground seat, with both major parties fighting tooth and nail for the upper hand. Labor pulled off a surprise win there in 2022 after the Liberals held it for more than 20 years.
Next door in Burt, things are calmer…. for now.
Labor’s Matt Keogh has held the seat since 2016, but the Liberals haven’t given up. They are eyeing both electorates as part of their WA revival.
In the race for Tangney, Liberal Candidate, Howard Ong, is hoping to win votes with $10 million pledge for a new sport complex in Canning Vale.
He says the promise responds directly to what locals have been asking for; better facilities in a fast-growing suburb.
“I’ve listened closely to the community’s concerns,” Mr Ong said. “The area’s growing population deserves top-quality facilities.”
The proposed Canning Vale Sports Complex would cater to around 59 teams and more than 1000 players from across the City of Canning and surrounding areas like Gosnells, Melville, and Cockburn. With plans like soccer, AFL, cricket and athletics, its being pitched as more than just playing fields; a modern, shared space to bring people together, promote healthy lifestyles, and support local clubs.
Just down the road in Burt, Liberal Candidate, Sean Ayres is also backing grassroots investments – this time, with a focus on cultural inclusion.
He has secured a $2million promise from a future Liberal Government to build a Tigrayan Community Centre in Kenwick.
The new facility is set to support cultural, social and educational programs, especially for Perth’s Ethiopian and wider African communities in the southeast.
Mr Ayres said the centre will help tackle social isolation, particularly among young people, by creating a space for language classes, mentoring and job support.
“Strong community groups lead to safer, more connected communities,” he said.
The pledge has also been supported by Senator Dean Smith, who emphasised the importance of cultural engagement for young people, while Senator Matt O’Sullivan said these kinds of investments give local communities the tools to thrive.
Meanwhile in neighbouring Swan, both Labor and Liberal candidates have come to the table with matching commitments for a long-awaited community upgrade.
Labor MP Zaneta Mascarenhas kicked things off with a $1.75 million pledge to upgrade the ageing Maniana changerooms and community centre in Queens Park; a much-needed refresh that residents have long called for.
Liberal candidate Mic Fels then matched that promise, committing the same amount from an elected Liberal government to ensure the project goes ahead regardless of the election result.
“It’s great news for the Canning community,” Mr Fels said. “This is an investment in opportunity and the next generation of athletes.”
The revitalisation plan includes new change rooms, better lighting, improved playing fields and accessible pathways; turning the space into a modern, inclusive hub for local sport and community activities.
Mr Fels also pointed to the importance of supporting women in sport, saying the upgrades would meet the growing demand for safe and functional facilities.
“These upgrades will benefit everyone – including families, school teams, weekend players, and future champions,” Mr Fels added.
“It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome.”
The funding pledge is part of the Liberal Party’s broader plan to support fast-growing suburbs and deliver what it describes as “practical infrastructure to get Australia back on track.”
The Maniana Reserve project now has bipartisan support; a rare win for locals in an election season that’s often filled with back and forth.
As election day approaches, the big picture of Labor vs Liberal is hard to miss, and local promises like sports fields and community hubs could make all the difference.
In a tight race, every seat matters, and voters in WA know their choices on May 3 could be the ones that decide who leads the country next.
