Likelihood of a NSW Labor majority government slips away as undecided seats turn

After cruising to a sweeping election night victory, Labor’s chances of achieving a majority government are slipping away.

After Labor cruised to a landslide election victory on Saturday night, the results from six seats have significantly threatened Premier Chris Minns’ chances of a majority government.

While just two seats shy of a 47-seat majority, Labor candidates are falling behind in the undecided electorates on the third day of counting.

Of the six seats that were too close to call on Monday, Labor was only ahead in one of them, with Liberal and independent candidates gaining ground.

Ryde

As of Tuesday night, the northwestern Sydney electorate remains one of the only seats where Labor is ahead.

At the time of publishing, Labor’s Lyndal Howison was marginally ahead of Liberal candidate Jordan Lane by 234 votes.

Previously, the seat had been held by retiring customer service minister Victor Dominello since 2008.

Labor candidate for Ryde Lyndal Howison has maintained a slight lead against Jordan Lane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Kiama

Labor’s chances of picking up Kiama have considerably softened, with Liberal turned independent Gareth Ward overtaking Labor candidate Katelin McInerney after postal and pre-poll votes were added to the count.

Mr Ward appeared in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to historical sexual assault charges, including sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count of common assault.

Gareth Ward appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to historical sexual assault charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Minns said he was hopeful Labor could still claim the seat.

“I’m conscious of the fact there’s a criminal trial that began today. I’m not going to make a comment about it specifically,” Mr Minns told reporters on Tuesday.

“I’m going to wait for the poll to be declared and I’m very hopeful that the Labor candidate in that electorate will be elected.”

Miranda

Embattled former frontbencher Eleni Petinos will likely retain her seat against Labor candidate Simon Earle.

After a neck-in-neck tussle, Ms Petinos is about 500 votes ahead.

At Tuesday on midday ABC election expert Antony Green predicted it would be “possible to declare Eleni Petinos winner” by the end of the day.

Eleni Petinos will likely retain the southern Sydney seat of Miranda. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Jeremy Piper

Goulburn

The Liberal Party will likely continue their 16-year run in the regional seat of Goulburn. Despite a promising swing to Labor on Saturday, Liberal candidate Wendy Tuckerman is 368 votes ahead of Labor’s Michael Pilbrow. With the rest of the count mainly down to postal votes – which generally favour the Coalition – it’s likely Ms Tuckerman will retain her seat.

Oatley

Liberal sources have also backed longstanding MP Mark Coure to retain his seat despite strong competition from first-time candidate Ash Ambihaipahar.

Mr Coure was slightly ahead of Ms Ambihaipahar on Monday, but by Tuesday he had increased his lead by 900 votes.

Mark Coure has maintained his lead against Labor candidate Ash Ambihaipahar. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Simon Bullard.

Holsworthy

Liberal candidate Tina Ayyad has maintained her lead against Labor’s Mick Maroney in the southwestern Sydney electorate of Holsworthy.

At the time of publishing, the former Liverpool deputy mayor is 526 votes ahead.

Ms Ayyad told the St George Shire Standard that she was “feeling very confident” in the remainder of the vote.

“I think overall if you look across the state I think my swing is insignificant,” she said.

Liberal candidate Tina Ayyad is poised to win Holsworthy. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Terrigal

While Terrigal has also always been held by the Coalition since it was first contested in 2007, the initial count positioned Labor’s Sam Boughton to overtake incumbent Liberal MP Adam Crouch.

As of Tuesday afternoon, however, Mr Crouch is back in the lead by 240 votes.

Even if Terrigal is retained by Mr Crouch, it’s previously very safe Liberal margin of 12.3 per cent will be considerably slimmed down once the count is finalised.

Originally published as Likelihood of a NSW Labor majority government slips away as undecided seats turn