The federal election is just two weekends away, and if you believe the polls change is in the air. Australian elections are largely free from the celebrity endorsements seen in the American campaigns, but some of our most influential musicians are starting to speak out about who has, or hasn’t, got their vote.
Shannon Noll’s made no secret of backing National MP for Parkes John Cobb.
“I think with this election people are concerned about issues that are going to affect them personally and musicians are no different, whether it be petrol or interest rates,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
Mark Seymour, Sarah Blasko, Tim Freedman, and Perry Keyes will show their support for Labor by playing at the party’s arts policy launch today.
“At the end of the day we all have a responsibility at some time in our lives to make our core values known, even if it’s just to our friends over a barbecue,” Mark Seymour said.
According to Tim Freedman, several other artists, including Tim Rogers and Damien Leith, also hoped to play at Peter Garrett’s launch, but there simply wasn’t room.
“I think Garrett has got more support in the rock’n’roll industry than any arts minister ever,” he added.
“People do get behind the issues now and artists have always been loath to be identified with a party but if they are getting into climate change and reconciliation, they are issues that Labor is good at.”
Clare Bowditch is keeping mum on which party will get her vote, but it won’t be the Liberals.
“I will not be voting for John Howard because he took us to war, has been slow in reacting to the environmental crisis and is splashing money around like he thinks we are stupid,” she said.
Missy Higgins said she’ll vote Greens, but will give her preferences to the ALP.
Remember, if you’re over 18 you’ll need to vote in the election on November 24. This is your chance to have a say in how our country is run, so use your vote wisely.