That concludes NewsLocal's Election Day live blog coverage for February 12.
Thank you for joining us on the hustings as voters decide their next local leaders.
NSW state By-Elections: everything you need-to-know in Strathfield, Bega, Willoughby, Monaro
The Liberals are quickly losing control in the count for south coast seat of Bega, previously held by Andrew Constance, as party faithful prepare for an upset by Labor contender Michael Holland. See the latest in by-election coverage.
Hundreds of thousands of residents across the state are heading back to the polls today, as the race for the state seats of Willoughby, Strathfield, Monaro and Bega are decided.
A wide variety of contenders are vying for your votes in the lower north shore seat of Willoughby — previously held by former Premier Gladys Berejiklian — including Sustainable Australia Party’s William Bourke, Independent candidate Larissa Penn, Liberal Democrat Samuel Gunning, The Greens’ candidate Lynne Saville, and Reason NSW candidate Penny Hackett taking on Liberal Party candidate Tim James.
In Strathfield — the seat previously held by former Opposition Leader Jodi McKay — candidates include Sustainable Australia Party’s Ellie Robertson, Independent candidate Elizabeth Farrelly, the Animal Justice Party’s Rohan Laxmanalal, The Greens’ candidate Courtney Buckley, and Liberal candidate Bridget Sakr taking on Labor Party candidate Jason Yat-Sen Li.
The electorate of Bega — formerly held by Andrew Constance — is being contested by Independent Jeffrey Hawkins, Sustainable Australia’s Karin Geiselhart, Independent Ursula Bennett, Labor’s Michael Holland, The Green’s candidate Peter Haggar, Shooters’ candidate Victor Hazir and Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs.
Meanwhile, Monaro — previously held by former Deputy Premier John Barilaro — is being contested by Independent Andrew Thaler, The Nationals’ Nichole Overall, Sustainable Australia’s James Holgate, Animal Justice Party’s Frances Seymour, The Greens’ Catherine Moore and Labor’s Bryce Wilson.
NewsLocal reporters across the state are bringing you the latest need-to-know information from polling booths across the electorates. With rolling coverage continuing as votes roll in on Saturday night.
Updates
Libs claim Willoughby despite severe swing
Hard-right Liberal Tim James will be former Premier Gladys Berejiklian's successor in the blue ribbon seat of Willoughby.
The Willoughby Liberal candidate had secured 43.4 per cent of the first preference vote on Saturday night, while facing an 18 per cent swing against the party to Independent candidate Larissa Penn.
Mr James said he had "big shoes to fill", replacing Ms Berejiklian as the member for Willoughby.
Mr James said he was grateful to the people of Willoughby and also thanked his wife, his two kids, and mentioned that they’re expecting a new child in a couple of weeks.
“Always to aim for the stars, but to keep my feet on the ground – and I commit to doing that,” he said, paraphrasing US president Theodore Roosevelt.
When asked about the 18 per cent swing she gained at the polls on Saturday, Independent candidate Larissa Penn said she "wasn’t all that surprised”.
“We’re a grassroots community campaign and so the swing is not that surprising for us honestly,” Ms Penn said.
"Being a grassroots campaign means that we are part of the community, receiving feedback from residents and listening to their concerns.
“There is real anger in this community about not being listened to, especially regarding issues like tunnels and overdevelopment but also with transparency,” she said
“All these big issues we’re in tune with, and the Liberal party seems out of touch – to have taken us for granted.”
Final results aren't expected for several days.
Doctor is Labor's remedy for blue Bega
South coast doctor Michael Holland has caused a major political upset in the seat of Bega overnight, after becoming the first ever Labor candidate to claim victory in the staunchly conservative electorate.
Mr Holland claimed victory in Saturday's by-election at around 9pm, hailing an incredible swing to Labor as his party lead Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs 42.73 per cent to 35.84 per cent.
The political newcomer said the unprecedented result was a reflection on the State Government and the community's need to have its issues heard.
"It's been a plebiscite, I believe, to want a local member who will represent (the community) with integrity and honesty," he said.
Mr Holland said that his former ward as a doctor stretched from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, mirroring the borders of the electorate he will now govern.
"Local politics is local and I look forward to representing the community to the best of my ability."
Saturday's election was triggered by the shock resignation late last year of popular Liberal MP Andrew Constance.
Despite campaigning on a continuation of Mr Constance's legacy, Ms Kotvojs failed to secure victory.
Mr Holland was flanked by four of his daughters during his victory speech at the Adelaide Hotel in Moruya, as well as wife Lyn.
Embracing his partner, Mr Holland said he had been helped out of the "pit" of self doubt by Mrs Holland only days out from the election.
Labor stalwarts Paul Scully and Deborah O'Neil were also in attendance
Labor retains Strathfield
The Liberals' chances to snatch the inner-city seat of Strathfield have gone up in smoke, as Labor edge close towards securing a further one per cent swing in support.
ALP candidate Jason Yat-Sen Li is expected to retain the seat of former Opposition Leader Jodi McKay for the Labor Party, with 55.7 per cent of the vote secured against the Liberal's Bridget Sakr on Saturday.
At the time of publication,Labor held 5493 votes to the Liberal's 4537, while a total of 11,000 votes have already been counted across the electorate.
On Saturday night, Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the party was confident it would retain the seat of Strathfield.
"There has been a lot of excitement about politics," he said. "But nothing is more important right now, than the work our frontline health workers are putting in.
"Many people across NSW have sent the Premier a message on their behalf at the ballot box today, the Premier needs to listen to that message, the government needs to change direction."
'You get a pair of Overalls': Nichole claims Monaro
Nichole Overall is expected to be the first woman to be elected as the member of the NSW seat of Monaro.
“That’s not why you want people to vote for you,” she said after the crowd roared. “And here I am sooking again, think what I’ll do in parliament.”
Mrs Overall said she hoped to be forging “her own path” like previous members for the electorate.
She thanked Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and former Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
She was joined on stage by her husband, former Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council mayor Tim Overall.
“We are a team, you do get a pair of Overalls,” she said
“Part of the reason I’m standing here tonight is because of this great bloke encouraging me and supporting me and telling me he would be there behind me.
“I love you.”
Liberals on the run in Bega as Holland surges ahead
Labor candidate for Bega Michael Holland had maintained a nearly eight per cent lead over Liberal rival Fiona Kotvojs, as friends and family cautiously celebrate the potential political upset.
Mr Holland had received 4050 votes as of deadline on Saturday, with Ms Kotvojs trailing behind with only 3363.The Liberals face a 13 per cent swing against them since the last election.
Labor party stalwarts including state shadow minister Paul Scully joined volunteers at the Adelaide Hotel in Moruya on Saturday night.
Senator Deborah O’Neil congratulated Mr Holland, a political newcomer, and said he had the party’s full support.
“It’s time for change,” she said. “I think Mr Holland is actually going to deliver that change.”
After a hard-fought campaign. Ms O’Neil congratulated Mr Holland for standing up for his convictions, no matter the outcome.
“To actually leave your career as an obstetrician in this area because the government refuses to listen to the community takes passion,” she said.
Mr Holland’s wife and four of his daughters were in attendance at a campaign dinner on Saturday.
Daughter Alice said after a long day manning the Moruya Public School polling station, she was excited that early numbers showed voters favoring her father for state leadership.
“I’m immensely proud of my dad,” she said. “I think he’s fought for the better of everyone around, including our family.
“I’m not surprised that people would want to vote for him.”
'Swing won't bring Tim down': Libs
More than 15,000 votes had already been counted just hours after polls closed on Saturday night in Willoughby, as Liberal candidate Tim James faced an eye-watering swing against him in the once blue-ribbon stronghold of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Mr James had secured 43.6 per cent of the vote at the time of print, followed by Independent Larissa Penn with 31.79 per cent.
Despite facing a shocking early swing of 17.1 per cent as the votes were tallied, Liberal sources said they were certain Mr James would replace Ms Berejiklian in Willoughby.
"He will be the winner, but not without the loss of some skin in the electorate," the insider said. "There is a significant swing, but we will overcome it."
Liberal Party faithful cheered and celebrated in a wave of blue at Willoughby Park Bowling Club as results roll in.
When asked about the swing towards her, Independent candidate, Larissa Penn, said she "wasn’t all that surprised”.
“We’re a grassroots community campaign and so the swing is not that surprising for us honestly,” Ms Penn said.
She explained that being a grassroots campaign meant that she was part of the community, receiving feedback from residents and listening to their concerns.
“There is real anger in this community about not being listened to, especially regarding issues like tunnels and overdevelopment but also with transparency,” she said.
“All these big issues we’re in tune with, and the Liberal party seems out of touch – to have taken us for granted.”
Polls a nail-biter for Monaro candidates
The Monaro by-election is proving to be a nail-biting race on Saturday night, with Nationals candidate Nichole Overall leading Labor's Bryce Wilson by only 4.6 percent in the two party preferred count.
The atmosphere at the Nationals party at Walsh's Hotel Queanbeyan was celebratory with Deputy Premier Paul Toole throwing his weight behind the campaign.
Meanwhile, the vibe at Labor’s festivities at the Queanbeyan Hotel was smaller and more demure with party stalwarts keenly watching the election results roll through on the big screen as votes rolled in.
Voter turnout on Election Day was modest with Monaro residents embracing pre-poll voting and postal voting.
The Monaro electorate has been a safe National‘s seat, however, following the resignation of former Deputy Premier John Barilaro last year – it remains to be seen if it will remain a stronghold for the party.
Just over 11,000 votes had been counted to 8pm on Saturday night, with Ms Overall holding onto a 52.3 per cent lead of Labor's Bryce Wilson.
Nat's throw support behind candidate
Nationals supporter Paul Christenson said things were looking good for candidate Nichole Overall.
"(She) has been an amazing candidate, working the electorate from north to south to east to west," he said. "(She has) a long history of living here and working for the local community."
Michele Biscotti QPRC councillor and former deputy mayor was also spotted at the Nationals’ party at Walsh’s Hotel.
“I’m to support Nichole Overall personally,” the independent councillor said.
Mr Biscotti served as deputy mayor of the QPRC to Mrs Overall’s husband Tim Overall.
“Tim and I have worked together for over a decade and hoping to continue the overall relationship in the state government."
Mr Biscotti says he is hopeful Mrs Overall will get in. "I think the key here is Nichole is a candidate in this by election with historical knowledge and local experience," He said. "This is important for our local government area."
Labor holding Strathfield in two-party preferred race
The race for Strathfield continues on a knife-edge for the two major parties, as Labor's Yat-Sen Li takes hold of a narrow lead against the Liberal's Bridget Sakr.
Yat-Sen Li holds 52.3 per cent of the 8412 votes counted, while Sakr has 47.7 per cent in a two-party preferred count.
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