‘Mood on the ground is anger’: Shadow finance minister Jane Hume says Labor have not met expectations in Dunkley, party focused on its own ‘political agenda’

Ms Hume dismissed recent polls, one of which showed Labor losing ground in Dunkley, but conceded the margin held by ALP candidate Jodie Belyea is “big”.

The poll, conducted for The Australian, appeared to show the government’s changes to the stage three tax cuts have done little to boost its political fortunes, with no significant changes to its position since December.

However Ms Hume said Dunkley residents were “angry” as the government has failed to meet expectations and have focused on their own political agenda rather than the cost of living.

“The government has failed to meet the expectations of voters. They’re really doing it tough out there right now,” Ms Hume said.

“Of course they’re going to happily pocket whatever they can that the government hands out, but the cynical ploy of breaking a promise to reverse those stage three tax cuts hasn’t really manifested in more popularity for Anthony Albanese.”

However, the poll suggests Labor remains in a winning position, with its primary share in line with results from the last election.

Ms Hume noted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was not assuming a Labor victory and made time to visit Frankston with only days until the important by-election.

“Anthony Albanese did turn up, we noticed, to the polls on Sunday, which was very good of him to find the time between concerts – between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry,” she said.

“It was good of him to go out to Dunkley on Sunday instead of making it the trifecta and going to Blink-182.”

Turning to potential outcomes this weekend, Ms Hume said in all other circumstances a 6.3 per cent margin was not a “marginal seat” and claimed there was a convincing sentiment among voters.

“It’s a big margin, there’s no doubt about it. 6.3 per cent would not be considered a marginal seat in all other circumstances, but the mood on the ground is anger towards this government, that they haven’t been focused on the priorities of Dunkley and instead have been focused on their own priorities,” she said.

“You saw that in the Voice referendum. They spent the first 18 months, this government, focusing on the Voice referendum after saying the cost of living was the number one issue.”

However, Ms Hume reiterated that she believed it would be a close contest.

Ms Hume made it clear the Coalition was serious about the cost of living and set up a specialised committee “the moment” they came into opposition, focusing on the issue ever since.

“But we have a terrific candidate down there in Nathan Conroy,” she said.

“He’s been the mayor three times. He has demonstrated a commitment to the community. He’s an Irishman who’s become an Australian and has a young family there.

“He’s really, really community focused and has already delivered for the city of Frankston and the plain is for him to deliver for the broader electorate for Dunkley.”