As the candidates hit the hustings ahead of the 2013 Federal Eelection on Saturday 7 September Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers and academics can provide comment and analysis.

 

Dr Troy Whitford is a lecturer in politics and history with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Dr Whitford said the battle-ground for this election will be in western Sydney and Queensland. He believes the electorate is tired of minority government and the overall result is likely to be close but decisive.

 

Associate Professor in Political Science, Dominic O’Sullivan is with CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Bathurst. Professor O’Sullivan said the big issue for this election campaign is economic management and credibility. He said school funding and policy to deal with asylum seekers will also feature strongly in the run up to the poll

 

Professor of Economics, John Hicks from the School of Accounting and Finance at CSU in Bathurst said economic management is likely to be a decision making issue for voters. He said both major parties are keen to demonstrate they will be able to reduce the Budget deficit, without asking whether this is the best way to manage the economy at a time of declining growth in China and Australia.

 

A key policy difference between Labor and the Coalition is tackling climate change. Professor Kevin Parton from the School of Management and Marketing at CSU in Orange is available to talk about environmental policy, the Carbon Tax and the Emissions Trading Scheme.