Russell tips a tight fight

RUSSELL Broadbent is expecting a fight on his hands as Australia goes to the polls next month.
The McMillan incumbent defied the national trend and was one of the few Liberals to make ground at the last election, being re-elected with a margin of less than five per cent.
He faces the same opponent this year, Labor’s Christine Maxfield.
Many believe Mr Broadbent’s win last time around was fuelled by the way he spoke out over his own party’s policy on the treatment of boat people.
“I think people saw that whether they agreed or disagreed with me, they could rely on me to speak on behalf of them,” Mr Broadbent said.
“They know where I stand.”
Without such an issue during this election, Mr Broadbent said he expected it to be a tight result.
“I think it will be vote by vote, booth by booth,” he said.
“In the end you’ll have people who vote for the party and people who vote for the person. I hope those people support me because I’ve done a good job over the years.”
Mr Broadbent said the cost of living was the biggest issue in the Pakenham area of the electorate.
“Fuel and interest rates really affect people – it adds pressure on families,” he said.
“The only way to stop that is to stop borrowing and reduce spending.”