‘Not winner takes all’: Greens’ bold claim for new Labor government

After fending off an attack in a key seat, a Greens MP says the next four years under Labor will not be a “winner takes all parliament”.

NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong said the NSW Greens would play a “very significant” role in the next NSW government, with the minor party retaining the seats of Balmain, Newtown and Ballina.

This comes as final vote counts will reveal whether Labor will achieve a majority or minority government in the lower house, with the seats of Terrigal, Kiama and Goulburn still in play.

The Newtown MP promised to push through the Greens’ agenda on issues like cashless gambling reform, rental reform and ending logging on native forests.

“What’s very clear from this result, and the numbers are tightening day by day, is that it’s not a winner takes all this parliament,” she said, standing alongside Greens upper house members Sue Higginson, Cate Faehrmann and Abigail Boyd and incoming Balmain MP Kobi Shetty.

“We’ve made it clear that we’re going to push that agenda forward and with the numbers as tight as they are, I think it’s really important to recognise that these are things that the parliament will need to deal with.”

Greens MP Jenny Leong said it wasn’t a winner takes all parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Jeremy Piper

On Monday evening, independent MPs Alex Greenwhich, Greg Piper and Joe McGirr released a joint statement agreeing to “provide confidence and supply” to the incoming Labor government.

“We look forward to a strong and consultative working relationship with the new Premier and his team,” the statement read.

Following conversations with the incoming NSW Labor Government, the Members for Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and Lake Macquarie have agreed to offer confidence and supply and look forward to a strong and consultative working relationship with Premier-elect Chris Minns and his team. pic.twitter.com/HEtyYypxAf

— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) March 27, 2023

Greens retain Balmain, Labor concedes

The NSW Greens celebrated a historic win in the inner-city seat of Balmain, with Ms Shetty retaining the seat for the minor party after the retirement of longtime MP Jamie Parker.

The Inner West councillor’s win is the first time the minor party has retained a lower house seat despite the retirement of an incumbent MP. 

“I would especially like to thank Jamie Parker for his incredible 24 years of service to this community,” she said.

“We want more integrity and politics and we want to make sure that there is serious gambling reform and we look forward to working with the incoming NSW Labor government to make sure that they listen to what our community wants.”

Kobi Shetty with retiring MP Jamie Parker on election day.

Labor candidate Philipa Scott conceded the race on Monday nigh, and said she was “proud” of achieving an 8 per cent swing towards Labor. 

“A short time ago I called Kobi Shetty to congratulate her on winning the seat of Balmain,” she wrote in a statement shared on social media. 

“I wished her well and encouraged her to work constructively with Chris Minns and his incoming Labor government.”