Feng, who says she’s “nearly 70”, shares her small two-bedroom home with her 32-year-old son.

Her local electorate of Fowler is one of the most diverse in the country. In the 2021 Census, at least 19 per cent of residents identified as having Vietnamese heritage, and another 14 per cent or more were from a Chinese background.

Major party MPs ‘better placed’, candidate says

The party’s pick for this election is Tu Le, who works at a community legal centre and lives locally.

Tu Le is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and worked for Fowler’s former MP Chris Hayes. Source: SBS News / Cameron Carr

Ahead of the last election, former Labor MP for Fowler Chris Hayes, who was retiring from politics, identified Tu Le as his replacement but was overruled.

“I’m a local, I’m a mum … and I’m very much focused on this upcoming election to make sure that we do elect someone who will be in government — to actually be able to deliver for the community of Fowler.”

To win Fowler, Tu Le will need to sway voters towards Labor and away from voting independent, which won’t be easy given Dai Le’s popularity.

Dai Le achieved a massive 29 per cent swing and won the electorate with 51.6 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote in 2022. But the seat is marginal — it’s held with just a 1.1 per cent majority.

Voters undecided

She lives in social housing and would like to see a party that can help people with disability buy a home.

Marlene Eziuzor has scarring on her lung which can restrict her ability to work. Source: SBS News / Cameron Carr

“I hope there’s more support for people like myself, especially women my age. I’m not young, I have disabilities,” she said.

While she hasn’t made up her mind yet, she is leaning towards supporting Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Voters are moving away from the major parties

Almost a third of voters cast their ballot for minor parties or independent candidates at the last federal election, the highest number in almost 100 years.

“Only 56 per cent of voters actually think that a majority Labor or Coalition government is better for Australia than some other alternative,” he told the National Press Club on Tuesday.

Minority voices

One of the main concerns for the Korean community in and around Fowler is having a safe space to come together.

Korean community leader William Seung said minority groups value having a safe space to come together and keep culture thriving. Source: SBS News / Cameron Carr

Seung said he would like to see the major parties pledge support for a safer community fund, which could spend money on supporting community spaces and events.