NSW Election 2023: South Coast, Monaro fall into Labor hands after Black Summer backlash

Labor’s major gains in the Black Summer bushfire-impacted seats of Monaro and South Coast have helped the party return to government after 12 years in the wilderness.

Former NSW Nationals leader and Monaro MP John Barilaro. John Feder/The Daily Telegraph.

Labor has made major gains in the black summer bushfire impacted seats of Monaro and the South Coast, with the party set to return to government after 12 years in the wilderness.

South Coast Labor candidate Liza Butler held a substantial lead with 56.04 per cent of the two-party preferred vote just two hours into counting on Saturday night, with Liberal Party candidate Luke Sikora on 43.96 per cent, The Australian projects.

NSW’s south coast was ravaged by bushfires during the summer of 2019-2020, with many residents harshly criticising the Morrison government for its response and the NSW Liberal government for the progress of the rebuild.

The seat was previously held by retiring Liberal MP Shelley Hancock; however the Coalition was not able to fend off a statewide swing towards Labor.

South Coast Labor candidate Liza Butler casts her vote at East Nowra Public School. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile in neighbouring Monaro, Labor candidate Steven Whan sat on about 53 per cent in the two-party preferred vote against incumbent National MP Nicole Overall (46.2 per cent).

Mr Whan, a former Labor Minister until the party’s defeat in 2011, was a late appointment after revelations former candidate Terry Campese visited a convicted drug dealer in prison to raise money for his charity ended his tilt at the seat.

Shrugging off criticism Labor had undermined its “fresh start” election slogan by bringing in a Minister from the troubled Keneally government, Mr Whan has likely won the seat just a year after Labor lost it in a by-election.

The seat was formerly held by Coalition deputy leader John Barilaro, who resigned shortly before becoming embroiled in a “jobs-for-the-boys” scandal over his controversial appointment as New York trade commissioner.

Labor leader Chris Minns stopped by the seat earlier in the week while on the campaign trail in a bit to boost Mr Whan’s profile.