The final line-up of contenders for the ACT's two federal seats won't be known until nominations are declared on June 10. But five weeks before the election, the major parties' candidates are already out on the hustings.
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The shift of about 10,200 inner-north voters to the southern seat of Canberra, held by Labor's Gai Brodtmann, is tipped to even out the margins of the newly renamed northern seat of Fenner, held by Labor's Andrew Leigh at 12.5 per cent, and Brodtmann's seat of Canberra, held at 7.4 per cent.
However, ANU political scientist John Warhurst predicts Labor will retain its stranglehold over the ACT's lower-house seats unless an attractive independent pops up.
In Fenner, the Greens have chosen Carly Saeedi to go up against Labor's Andrew Leigh; the Liberals have Robert Gunning. Canberra looks to be a contest between three women: the Liberals and the Greens are pitting newcomers Jessica Adelan-Langford and Patricia Cahill against Brodtmann.
The Canberra Times asked the candidates what the issues were for voters. The topics varied from the national – such as balancing the budget and climate change – to those closer to home, like cuts to the public service and Canberra's cultural institutions.
At the last election, Labor, the Liberals and the Greens competed against Palmer United, Australian Democrats, Rise Up Australia, Bullet Train For Australia and the Secular Party of Australia. While some of the minor parties of 2013 are no more, the ones that remain and the political newcomers are yet to announce candidates for the ACT.
After fielding candidates in both seats last election, the Bullet Train For Australia party is a likely contender this year. The Drug Law Reform Australia party announced plans to run federal candidates in the ACT earlier this month, but is yet to clarify whether it will focus solely on the Senate.
Touch or click on the candidate's photo to learn more.
