AUSTRALIAN: House worries swing the vote

THE Pepar family, with two kids, two dogs and a charming little house in the heart of the Parramatta electorate, are exactly the sort of aspirational voters John Howard needs to keep onside if he is to win the next election.

Anna and Matthew Pepar, both 30, are professional people on above-average incomes and would generally be considered natural Howard voters.

But the couple - parents to Millie, 2, and Elijah, 3 - are under financial stress. Although they earn a combined income of more than $110,000 a year, they are struggling to pay their mortgage charges of $800 a fortnight and childcare costs of $650 a week.