Many of the residents the Newcastle Herald spoke to in Charlestown on Monday said candidates' leadership qualities and the broader ideals of parties would be the main influences on their vote this weekend.

Personal finances and the state of the environment were two concerns that also continually cropped up.

The division of Shortland extends through the eastern suburbs of Lake Macquarie, from Cardiff Heights down to Budgewoi, and has never been held by any party other than Labor.

Three of the 15 people the Herald interviewed reflected this in their voting histories, saying they had supported Labor all their lives.

One of those people was 81-year-old Pat Barnett.

"I've always voted for the one party, because I was born and bred in Newcastle. It's a Labor city," the Belmont North resident said.

"I think it's best for the city but I don't know because I am not a worker anymore."

Steve Mitchell said he had also stayed loyal to Labor, until this election.

"I already voted. And this is the first time I went Liberal," the 56-year-old of Charlestown said

"Bill Shorten is not very good, I'd rather see Tanya [Plibersek] in charge.

"The other guy [Scott Morrison] is more of a strong leader. He's fair dinkum.

"We need a bit of stability and I know this guy can keep finances in check," Mr Mitchell said.

Robert Curren, a 26-year-old social worker from Charlestown, will use his preferences to try to contain Liberal and Labor's dominance in the parliament.

"I'm not voting for a major party," he said.

"I think having independents in our politics is good.

"I wouldn't vote for them if I thought they would hold power.

"But I think them having a little bit keeps the major parties' radicalism in check.

"I am not a supporter of either."

Mr Curren said the most important political issue to him was that people's freedom to speak their mind was upheld.

"I think people should be fair to people, but once you have a law inhibiting speech that's a slippery slope."

A large portion of responses reflected a concern for household finances and the national economy.

But that didn't necessarily mean votes fell to one side of politics.

"The Labor Party believes in bigger taxes and more debt and the Liberals support the big end of town. And I don't think that's right. So you don't know what to do," Walter Gardiner a semi-retired resident of Marks Point said.

For Lyndall and John Pascoe, of Dudley, Labor's proposed changes to franking credits were a turn off.

"As retirees the we're not supportive of the tax on dividends," Ms Pascoe said.

"We're just looking for sensible policies, promises that can be fulfilled and adequately funded."

Michelle Fraser, 47, said a healthy national economy was in her best interest.

"Economics, taxation and to a certain extent environmental impacts are the main issues for me," the Garden Suburb resident who works in teaching said.

"I think if there's a thriving economy you'll have a thriving household as well."

This will be Brooke Kean's first federal election voting. The 18-year-old from Windale said she was also hoping to see some improvement in money matters.

"I'll probably vote for the party that's going to make the world a little easier in a financial sense," she said.

"I'm still deciding who that is, hopefully I'll figure it out soon."

Among younger voters, environmental policy was high on the agenda.

"Climate change, LGBTQ rights and women's issues" has motivated Alex Williamson, 19, of Redhead to vote for the Greens. She works full time in health.

Christina Davey, 22, and Bree Jack, 19, also identified climate change as their main concern but have not decided who to vote for as of yet.

"I think school funding is really important too," Ms Jack, of Belmont, said.

"Since I was four my parents have told me to vote Labor."

It wasn't just the younger voters with the planet's health on their minds.

"The environment is the main one for me," Jeff Tripney, 69, of Charlestown said.

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