Unipoll Watch
Unipoll Watch
Unipoll Watch is a nationwide university journalism project that covered the 2016 federal election. The journalism schools at 28 universities reported on every House of Representatives electorate, as well as most of the candidates and many of the important policies and local issues. Below are my articles covering the Calwell electorate in Victoria.
̌
Ottomon Mehter Military Band at the Broadmeadows Street Festival. Photo by Arianna Lucente.
The real battle in Calwell: entrenched disadvantage
Calwell is a safe Labor seat, held by Maria Vamvakinou since 2001. Located northwest of Melbourne, it covers the areas between Craigieburn, Keilor Park, Calder Park and Somerton. It has the highest percentage of Islamic residents in Victoria and concerns among voters include access to health services, education and employment. READ MORE →
Natalie Abboud, Green candidate for Calwell. Photo courtesy of The Greens.
Greens candidate for Calwell not going for the win
The Greens candidate for Calwell, Natalie Abboud, admits she doesn’t think she’ll win.
“That’s not even part of my mindset,” the 44-year-old says. “I think that Calwell will remain a strong Labor seat, so I don’t entertain any unrealistic notions of winning the seat.” READ MORE →
Maria Vamvakinou at the opening of the Olsen Place Street Art & Vertical Garden Project. Photo by Arianna Lucente.
Vamvakinou campaigns on multiculturalism and manufacturing
Maria Vamvakinou, the Labor MP for Calwell, relates to the migrant experience.
“One of my personal strengths as the Member here is that I have a background that is pretty much the same as everyone else that lives in this electorate,” she said. READ MORE →
Independent candidate for Calwell, John Hsu. Photo courtesy of John Hsu.
Photo courtesy of Megan Deanne Searls, Animal Justice Party.
Searls: A “paper” candidate for Calwell
Megan Deanne Searls, the Animal Justice Party candidate for Calwell, admits she’s not an active candidate.
“There was no one running for active candidacy, no one else put their hand up,” she said. “They needed names on papers.” READ MORE →
Former Liberal party candidate runs as an Independent
The former Liberal candidate turned Independent for Calwell, John Hsu, has had a colourful campaign.
Hsu quit the Liberal Party just a few weeks from the election, after it was reported he owned a brothel called Paradise Playmates in the bayside Melbourne suburb of Frankston. READ MORE →
Courtesy of Albumarium. Photo by Alex Proimos.
Young Muslim Australians suffering discrimination
For young people, getting a job can be very difficult. For young Muslims, it can be even harder.
The Services Manager of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Ayman Islam, says jobseekers with ‘Muslim’-sounding names face discrimination when applying for jobs. READ MORE →
