Planes, trains, automobiles … and nuclear subs: the local issues at play in the federal election

We asked Guardian Australia readers about the local issues that matter most to them in the lead-up to the election. In this edition, we put some of these questions to candidates from Canberra, western Sydney and the Illawarra region.

Max, 26, works for a non-profit and lives in the electorate of Cunningham, held by retiring Labor MP Sharon Bird. He is worried about the prospect of a base being built in Port Kembla to house the future nuclear-powered submarines to be built under the Aukus agreement.

"This announcement was made with no consultation with the community, no proposal for consultation moving forward and a potential for my home to have a giant target on its back," he said.

The Wollongong suburb, 100km south of Sydney, was flagged by the Coalition as the potential home of its new nuclear-powered submarine base. However, experts have raised concerns that the base could endanger the community by making it a military target, and some in the community are wary over the safety of the submarines' nuclear reactors.

Alison Byrnes, the Labor candidate for Cunningham, said that if elected she would ensure that the community was consulted on the decision.

"I will make it a priority to seek a detailed briefing from the minister for defence on this plan, as well as Defence's proposed assessment process," she said.

The Liberal party emphasised the economic benefits of the project, but did not address the community concerns.