Chris Minns wins NSW’s 47th Premier, as Dominic Perrottet steps down as Liberal Leader

NSW is set to get a new Premier, with Labor Leader Chris Minns securing the party’s first state election win after 12 years in the wilderness.

Chris Minns is projected to become the 47th Premier of NSW with the Labor party winning its first state election in 16 years.

Outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet confirmed he would be stepping down as the leader of the Liberal Party, in an emotional concession speech to party faithfuls.

Their last victory was in 2007, under former premier Morris Iemma.

Sky News called a Labor win just two hours after counting began at 8.04pm, with Dominic Perrottet conceding defeat to Mr Minns after 9pm.

“Chris Minns will be the next Premier of NSW,” Sky News Analyst Tom Connell said at 8.04pm.

By Saturday night, Labor had won 47 seats, with 50 per cent of the vote counted. It’s predicted they could win a total of 50 seats. The Coalition suffered a major bloodbath, losing 19 seats. It's predicted they could win a total of 31 electorates, with counting to resume on Monday.

Labor successfully reclaimed Riverstone, Leppington, South Coast, Heathcote, East Hills and Parramatta. Penrith could also fall to Labor, with former Liberal MP Stuart Ayres poised to lose his seat.

Labor faithfuls celebrated the win. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

NSW Shadow Treasurer Daniel Mookhey arrives at the Labor election party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Chris Minns will become the next Premier of NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Albo introduces Minns as ‘great’ leader

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was jubilant introducing Mr Minns to the stage. He described the NSW Labor Leader as a “great” leader who had “vision, compassion, and integrity”.

“I have had the very good fortune to have known Chris Minns for many, many years. I know without a doubt that he embodies all that is best about the Australian Labor Party,” said Mr Albanese.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced Chris Minns as a ‘great’ leader. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

In his first speech after winning the premiership, Mr Minns thanked Deputy Leader Prue Carr, Labor volunteers and Mr Albanese for “putting their heart and soul into the Labor campaign”.

He also thanked the Premier for a respectful campaign, which he described as a “model of respect and civility”.

“Neither party took the low road, neither political party took the low blow,” he said.

“I can’t say that every election campaign in the future will be conducted the same way but from now on no one will be able to say that it can’t be.”

NSW’s new Premier Chris Minns thanked Mr Perrottet for a respectful campaign. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

He also pledged to “look after the people who looked after us” and acknowledged front line workers who staffed hospitals, schools, and emergency department during the pandemic.

“There are many challenges facing the state of NSW over the next four years but the team I lead is ready for the challenge and opportunities of government and I will not let the people of this state down,” he said.

“After 12 years in Opposition I want to say to the people who voted for Labor or the Liberals and Nationals, or for the Independents or minor party candidates... we will govern for everyone in NSW.”

Perrottet stands down as Opposition leader

Making his speech to party faithfuls, a downcast Mr Perrottet confirmed he would be standing down as the leader of the Liberal party.

“As leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party, I take full responsibility for the loss this evening, and, as a result I will be standing down,” he said.

“It is very clear we need a fresh start.”

Mr Perrottet also congratulated his opponenet and acknowledged Mr Minns for winning a “race to the top”.

“I, particularly tonight, want to acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition. Elections can get ugly but I believe this election truly was a race to the top,” he said.

“(It was) a genuine battle of ideas and that is when politics is at its best.

“In many ways, that is due to Chris Minns and the way that he has carried himself throughout this campaign.”

Mr Perrottet said that while the party would have liked a “different result,” he said he was proud of his leadership and the Coalition’s 12-year run in government.

“Our government has achieved so much in so many ways,” he said.

“Our record is one of infrastructure, investment and imagination... we built the metros when they said it couldn’t be done, motorways that have changed the face of our city.”

Dominic Perrottet said he would be stepping down as the NSW Liberal leader. Picture: 9 NEWS

He also acknowledged the party’s acheivements during Covid and said the Coalition had guided the state out of “droughts, fires, floods,” the pandemic lockdowns. Mr Perrottet also commended Deputy Leader NSW Treasurer Matt Kean and former Liberal Deputy Leader Stuart Ayres, who lost his seat of Penrith.

“Sometimes it is through the darkest times that we are the best,” he said.

“I had the great privilege to witness that as the Premier of the state, and that is something that will always be with me for the rest of my life.”

Former prime minister John Howard also arrived to the Liberal’s election party at about, describing Mr Perrottet as “bold” and “heroic”.

“I admire him enormously, he took over in incredibly difficult circumstances and campaigned on a heroic fashion,” he told cameras.

“The other thing I want to say is that I pay tribute to the civil way in which the campaign was conducted by.”

Kean rejects stepping up as party leader

Appearing on ABC’s election night panel, NSW Treasurer Matt was immediately asked whether he would take on the NSW Liberal leadership. The Deputy Leader said it was “too early” to have these conversations, and paid respect to Mr Perrottet.

“That speech is a mark of a great leader and great person, and that is the Dominic Perrottet I have known for 12 years,” he told the ABC panel.

“I think we collectively as Liberal and Nationals have a lot to be proud of, we have built roads, hospitals, schools, things that we missed out on for a long time.”

Matt Kean denied claims he would make a play for the Liberal Leadership. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Jeremy Piper

Earlier in the night, Mr Kean said the party had been “hoping for the best but preparing for the worst”. Speaking

“I think it’s the 12 year factor. No Coalition government has ever won a fourth term in NSW,” he said.

“You accumulate barnacles.”

Deputy Labor Leader, Prue Car is celebrating Labor’s victory at the party’s election night party. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

Chris Minns voted with his wife Anna Minns at Carlton South Public School in his marginal seat of Kogarah. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

The final election Newspoll had predicted a win for the Opposition, with Labor winning a two-party-preferred result of 54.5-45.5 per cent. It was also the first Newspoll of the campaign trail which put Mr Minns ahead of Mr Perrottet as the preferred premier.

Labor’s win means the coalition now have no representation on Australia’s mainland, with Tasmania the only state with a coalition government under Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

Throughout the election trail, Labor ran under the slogan promising the state a “fresh start,” after 12 years of a coalition government.

Some of the key campaign promises included scrapping the public service wages cap, ending privatisation, and fortifying the state’s hospital and schools.