Eden-Monaro byelection: Pandemic subdues election day in Merimbula

Shortly after passing Cooma, the busy gateway to the snowfields, the landscape takes a dramatic shift to hilly, heavily-tussocked plains. Snow was visible in all directions, still glistening white in the morning sun after a substantial overnight dump.

Having barely left the snow behind you hit the Brown Mountain, with its many tree ferns, which then gives way to verdant forests signalling your arrival on the South Coast.

The assorted landscapes truly are a breathtaking metaphor for the electorate, renowned as one of Australia's largest and most diverse, and home to a population with a similarly large array of issues and needs.

In the seaside town of Merimbula one issue stands head and shoulders above the rest: reinvigorating the region's tourism sector after it was decimated by bushfires and then the coronavirus pandemic.

Voting at the the town's largest booth, Merimbula Public School, was a subdued affair. Gone were the democracy sausages and baked goods, vanquished by the health and safety requirements of conducting an election during a pandemic.

Party faithful were still on hand brandishing their how-to-vote cards but they easily outnumbered those wandering in to cast their ballot.

The booth had been expecting 1300 voters but by almost 2pm it had not yet reached 400.

Although the booth did receive a visit from Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Labor candidate Kristy McBain early in the day.

There was a larger-than-usual pre-poll and postal voting contingent, a sign some were keen to avoid any crowds.

However, Pambula resident Sue Terry said she held no such concerns as she believed the electoral commission had done a good job advertising and carrying out the social distancing requirements.

Ms Terry said she had been uncertain about who she would vote for up until she walked into voting booth but said jobs, hospitals and the environment were determining factors for her.

She hoped the successful candidate could help bring some growth to the area, which was struggling due to the pandemic.

The latest outbreak in cases in Melbourne had been particularly disheartening as the town was banking on Victorian holidaymakers to provide a boost, she said.

Elaine Philistin, of Merimbula, said she thought Eden-Monaro was privileged to have two strong and local female candidates in Labor's Kristy McBain and the Liberals' Fiona Kotvojs.

Ms Philistin referenced the size of the electorate and noted that Merimbula had vastly different issues compared to Queanbeyan, for instance.

"We need another voice in there to remind them about our area," she said.