Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor says a recent snapshot of Wingecarribee district voters shows jobs for the young and more apprenticeships are one of the main issues for local voters this election.

Mr Taylor said his office had made more than 150,000 contacts with Hume voters – newsletters, surveys, phone calls, emails and doorknocking - since the election had been called in early May.

“We have had a strong response to the Hume Community Surveys, sent with newsletters to all 53,000 households in Hume. I have been really encouraged by the level of engagement from voters in the electorate who have taken the time to fill in surveys, to answer our phone canvassing calls, to open the door to our volunteer doorknocking team and to send in emails.

“I thank everyone for their feedback. This is exactly how I determine the issues that matter to local people, right down to street level,” Mr Taylor said.

Many more men than women have completed the surveys. Electorate wide the top survey issues (in order of highest number of responses) were:

Securing Australia’s borders / Building a strong economy / Improving healthcare / Building better roads

“After the feedback I have received from Wingecarribee residents through phone canvassing in Exeter and from my recent visits to the area, it is clear to me that providing training and job opportunities for the young is very important for the community,” Mr Taylor said.

“This highlights the importance of small businesses creating jobs in regional towns and cities, which is a very strong focus for the Coalition.”

Residents also raised concerns about local communications, but overall thought that the area was a great place to live and raise a family.