Sandra Scott, 77, can only go out dancing when she can organise care for her husband.
An enthusiastic member of the Kalamunda seniors line dancing group, it's quality aged care that will decide her vote.
"We need more aged care packages to help people stay in their own home, especially people living on their own," Ms Scott said.
Ms Scott lives in Hasluck, a sprawling electorate north-east of Perth which senior Labor MP Jason Clare recently claimed was the key to winning the federal election, if the party can oust sitting MP and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt.
Hasluck is held by the Liberals by 5.9 per cent, one of three seats Labor have their sights on in WA which are held by less than 6 per cent.
Coalition in trouble if Hasluck falls: analyst
University of Notre Dame politics professor Martin Drum says Hasluck is a particularly important seat and considered a "litmus test".
"It's on the upper level of the Labor Party's aspirations in winning seats," he said.
There is speculation a strong Labor state government may boost the federal ALP's chances across WA, putting seats like Hasluck in reach.
Created in 2001, it has been in both Labor and Liberal hands, but held by Mr Wyatt for the Liberals since 2010.
A redistribution pushed Hasluck's margin from 5.6 per cent to 5.9 last year, adding newer suburbs like Ellenbrook and Avely, and removing Labor-dominated polling booths in Maddington and surrounds.
Overall it has a slightly older demographic, but there are stark differences across suburbs.
Out in the Perth Hills the population skews older, with most booths returning Liberal majorities in 2019.
But Hasluck also includes lots of young families in its north-eastern corridor capitalising on affordable housing in new developments and in established lower-cost suburbs like Midland.
Cost of living looms large
Amid rising inflation and a mortgage rate hike, cost of living and child care are key concerns for teacher and Midland resident Jasmine Waller.
"With mortgage rate rises, we're actually going to have to look into … budgeting a little bit more," Ms Waller said.
"Just checking out the weekly groceries a little bit more and being more careful about what we select from the shops."
She said the cost of childcare meant going back to work was not economical — particularly given she has twins.
For voter Eva Dunwell, quality health care is close to her heart after experiencing some health issues and undergoing IVF.
"I think we're very lucky here in Australia that we have such an awesome healthcare system," Ms Dunwell said.
"But obviously, during COVID, we've learned … there are some shortfalls."
She also wants politicians to take care of families and people running small businesses.
"I think that a strong economy is important, but it's not the only thing.
She would like to see more assistance for people facing homelessness.
Cash splash for marginal seat
Both parties are offering to spend big in WA, with lots of promises made in key seats like Hasluck.
Parkerville Football Club president Taryn Shinnick says the lights at the oval have needed work for some time.
She put forward a proposal and Mr Wyatt came out to the club to meet players and parents.
He has pledged $450,000 for upgrades, something Ms Shinnick says will go a long way with the local community.
"Ken's held the seat for a long time in the Hasluck area," she said.
"You can obviously see some of the things that he has done, you can see that massive big arena up in Mundaring, and everything like that."
She thinks a lot of voters are still undecided as the world recovers from COVID uncertainty and deals with cost of living pressures.
Club canteen manager Brittany Haigh says the investment shows Mr Wyatt has put himself out there for their club.
"From what I can see, he's always about community and sport, and kids and everything like that," she said.
"I know he goes out of his way to push these things, which sometimes gets lost with politicians."
The McGowan effect
Labor challenger Tania Lawrence has been out on the hustings as well, working "seven days a week" to win people over.
A recent morning of door knocking attended by the ABC saw her talking aged care and healthcare with the often-retired locals home on a weekday.
Ms Lawrence has a background in business, working for oil and gas behemoth Woodside and holding senior policy positions with the WA government before starting her own distilling business.
She and her fellow challenger Zaneta Mascarenhas, who is running for the next-door marginal seat of Swan — have appeared at countless federal Labor MP's press conferences during the election campaign.
But she has also been pounding the pavement in Hasluck.
Many people she spoke with praised Mr McGowan's management of the COVID pandemic.
Retiree Madeleine Bradbury, 81, was among them.
"I think the Premier did the right thing actually," she told Ms Lawrence.
"I know a lot of people objected to what he said and what he did, but he was spot on."
Climate change looms large in bushfire-prone electorate
Retiree Pam Mercy says she is disillusioned with the present federal government and thinks it's time for a change.
She votes on issues rather than parties, including climate change, wages and politicians' attitude to the community.
"One of the issues that is very, very dear to me is that politicians don't give enough respect for us and our intelligence," she said.
"If they think they can come out prior to an election, and promise, and give ... we need it during the year (as well)," she said.
Ms Mercy admired Mr McGowan's "discipline" in his handling of the pandemic but says that will not sway her federal vote.
"But I do think that sometimes you do need a change, and you need a breath of fresh air," she said.
