Election 2025: Major Parties Clash on Sausage Policy as Nation Grills Itself into Decision

Nerida Swing | Political Correspondent | Sutherland Shire Gazette

3 May 2025

SUTHERLAND SHIRE - As voters across the nation sizzle into polling booths today, the central debate remains the only issue Australians have ever truly cared about: sausages.

Forget health, housing or the economy - this election has been fought entirely on the BBQ battleground. And today, the nation decides.

What began as a humble election day tradition has ignited into the Great Sausage Reckoning of 2025. Voters are demanding action on spiralling snag prices, rising sausage temperatures, ingredient transparency, and the long-festering issue of imported snags eroding national BBQ identity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has centred his campaign on a sweeping Sausage Stabilisation Strategy, pledging to “end the snag squeeze” through bulk butcher subsidies and a national sausage stockpile. “Australians deserve affordable bangers,” Albanese told supporters at a Gymea Bay grill, his hands slick with sauce.

Peter Dutton, taking a harder line, has vowed to stop the boats — of bratwurst. “Foreign frankfurts are taking the grill space of hardworking Aussie beef snags,” he said, grilling under a strongman banner reading SECURE THE BBQ.

The Greens are pushing for a Just Sausage Transition, moving away from gas BBQs toward net-zero tofu spirals cooked over ethically harvested eucalyptus embers. “Our sausages are melting. Literally,” said a candidate, dodging a soy-free sourdough bun.

One Nation continues to question the science behind rising sausage temperatures, arguing BBQ thermometers have been rigged by elites. “It was hotter in 1974,” said a volunteer eating a near-raw chipolata.

Teal independents have made sausage integrity their rallying cry, demanding clear labelling of mystery meats and an end to pork in lamb sausages.

On the ground, confusion reigns. “I just want to vote without needing a degree in cured meats,” said Darren from Engadine, staring at a laminated candidate-to-sausage comparison chart.