NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wins Coalition a historic third term
Some said it couldn’t be done. But through dogged determination, shoe leather and sheer bloody-mindedness, Premier Gladys Berejiklian last night pulled off an amazing and historic election victory.
Some said it couldn’t be done. But through dogged determination, shoe leather and sheer bloody-mindedness, Premier Gladys Berejiklian last night pulled off an amazing election victory.
In one of the toughest state elections in recent times, Ms Berejiklian overcame an aggressive Labor campaign to become the first woman to be elected as premier of NSW.
However, with a revolt against the Nationals in the bush, it was unclear whether she would govern in her own right or require the support of the independents.
At 9.30pm the Coalition had 45 of the 47 seats it needed to govern outright, with East Hills and Coogee still in play.
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Just before 9.45pm, Opposition Leader Michael Daley rang Ms Berejiklian to concede defeat.
Shortly after that, in a victory speech at Liberal headquarters at Sofitel Wentworth in the city, Ms Berejiklian said she was proud of a state where “no matter your background, no matter where you live, everybody can be their best”.
Acknowledging her immigrant background, she added: “I’m incredibly proud of the wonderful place in which we live. A state in which someone with a long surname — and a woman — can be the Premier of NSW.”
Arriving to a rock star welcome, the party faithful chanted “four more years” as Ms Berejiklian thanked voters for giving the Coalition a historic third term.
Addressing a crowd that included Prime Minister Scott Morrison, former prime minister John Howard and former premier Nick Greiner, she said the Liberals had not yet conceded “a single seat”, and vowed to help the federal Liberal Party in its upcoming election battle.
“We will continue to govern for all of us, for all of you,” she said.
Also in the crowd was Ms Berejiklian’s sister Mary, who was seen hugging Mr Howard as they awaited Ms Berejiklian’s arrival.
Over at the Coogee Bay Hotel the mood was sombre as Mr Daley vowed to stay on as Labor leader, while noting that it had not been “a great night for the major parties”.
In a night of upsets by the minor parties, one of the biggest was staged by the Shooters, Fishers And Farmers, which retained the seat of Orange, claimed Murray from the Nationals and remained hopeful of gaining Barwon.
It was the first time the Shooters stood candidates in Lower House seats, with disaffected voters taking the opportunity to send a message to the government about their dissatisfaction concerning its handling of rural issues.
Nationals leader John Barilaro said he would take responsibility for the party’s performance: “I will take credit if we are successful, and I will take responsibility if we lose a couple of seats.”
Of the key battleground seats, the Coalition managed to hold Heathcote and Goulburn, and was also hopeful of keeping Penrith. In East Hills, the Liberals were slightly ahead, although the marginal seat remained on a knife edge.
Mr Daley’s Asian gaffe had a major impact on the large population of Chinese-Australian Labor voters in Kogarah, with sitting Labor MP Chris Minns suffering a swing of 6 per cent an hour into counting.
The Greens obtained swings in their favour to retain Newtown, Balmain and Ballina. They were also last night locked in a three-way contest with the Nationals and Labor for the seat of Lismore.
Shooters leader Robert Borsak described the result as beyond his “wildest dreams”.
He said: “It shows that the scare campaign by the Liberals about guns and deals with Labor didn’t work.”
Liberal strategist Michael Photios said there was “euphoric relief” over the result.
“NSW is now bigger than a stadium,” he said.
The result followed one of the slowest counts in recent elections, with even ABC political analyst Antony Green airing his frustration.
By 11pm the Coalition was short only one seat to govern outright.
Both Labor and Liberal leaders had embarked on an 11th-hour tour of battleground seats, with Ms Berejiklian starting in her Willoughby electorate before visiting the marginal seat of Penrith to help Sport Minister Stuart Ayres, and on to Heathcote.
Mr Daley followed a similar route, starting in Maroubra where he received a warm reception, although not everyone appeared to know him elsewhere.
“To be honest, I don’t know who he is,” said one Penrith voter. “I haven’t seen a lot of advertising with him on it.”
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