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Chris Minns celebrates historic victory as Labor returns to power – as it happened

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Dominic Perrottet concedes defeat and says he will step down as Liberal leader. This blog is now closed

 Updated 
Sat 25 Mar 2023 08.56 EDTFirst published on Fri 24 Mar 2023 16.59 EDT
Chris Minns claims victory in front of Labor party supporters in Sydney
NSW election 2023: Chris Minns claims victory in front of Labor party supporters in Sydney. Follow live results and updates. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP
NSW election 2023: Chris Minns claims victory in front of Labor party supporters in Sydney. Follow live results and updates. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

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Dominic Perrottet to stand down as Liberal leader

Dominic Perrottet has announced he will step down as Liberal leader, claiming the party needs a “fresh start”.

As Perrottet announced this during his concession speech, the crowd at Liberal gathering jeered.

“To everyone in the Liberal party, I’d say this next period of time will not be easy, but it will be necessary.

It is a time to reflect. It is a time to rethink and ultimately to renew. To renew 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 as the parliamentary leader (jeers) of the Liberal party. It’s very clear we need a fresh start for the Liberal party.”

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Dominic Perrottet feels a “profound sense of gratitude” to have led New South Wales

Now friends, it goes without saying. I think we all wanted to have a different result this evening.

But we as a party, we as a government should be very proud of what we have achieved together.

I feel a profound sense of gratitude to have been able to serve the people of New South Wales.

Make no mistake, we’ve made history of being in government for the longest time since our party was formed. And our government has achieved so much in so many ways. We’ve kept NSW strong, free and fair.

Perrottet said NSW is a “much better place today than it was 12 years ago” and that the Coalition’s legacy will be one “of infrastructure, of investment and of imagination”.

He names the metro projects in Sydney, as well as more controversial motorways, museums and stadiums, as important elements of the Coalition’s legacy in government.

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Outgoing premier asks for support for incoming opponent

Outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet has asked New South Wales residents, regardless of political leaning, to “get behind” Chris Minns as premier.

I truly believe and have no doubt that he will make a fine 47th premier of New South Wales because I believe that he will lead with the same decency and the same integrity that he has led with so far.

Ultimately I ask everybody across NSW, whatever your political persuasion, to get behind him, to get behind him, because where NSW goes well, our country goes well, and that is something that is something tonight, I believe, we can all unite behind.

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Dominic Perrottet begins concession speech

The Liberal leader has arrived at the Liberal’s election night function and is delivering his concession piece.

“A short while ago, I called Chris Minns to congratulate him and the Labor party on their election victory,” he said to a mixed reception form the Liberal faithful.

“The great people of New South Wales tonight have decided to elect a Labor government in the state. And that is a decision that we respect. 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.

“A genuine battle of ideas. And that’s when politics is at its best.”

Dominic Perrottet giving his concession speech. Photograph: ABC TV
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John Howard arrives at Liberal function

Tamsin Rose
Tamsin Rose

The former PM is now at the Liberal’s election night party in Sydney’s CBD – where the mood is grim.

Howard arrived at the Liberal event at 9.40pm and walked into the ballroom with his wife Janette and Liberal minister Alister Henskens as Thunderstruck by AC/DC was played.

Howard praised Dominic Perrottet’s policies and campaign.

“He put forward ideas. He was bold. I particularly admired his stance on poker machines. They are a social evil in this country and I think his stance on that was admirable.”

Asked if Perrottet stayed true to conservative values, Howard said:

“I think Dom, he got the balance right.”

Howard got a rockstar welcome as he arrived. Someone actually screamed with joy. pic.twitter.com/8PIT5qtxkX

— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) March 25, 2023

Howard also had some pleasant words for both Perrottet and Labor leader Chris Minns:

“The other thing I want to say is I pay tribute to the civil the campaign was conducted by both leaders.”

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Ayres not conceding

Penrith Liberal MP Stuart Ayres is on Sky News now and is not conceding his seat just yet, despite projections Labor has won the seat.

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Labor MPs dividing up ministries

At least one Labor MP is already talking about her colleagues’ portfolios with the party set to form government in NSW.

As cheers erupted at ALP headquarters in Sydney on Saturday night, Penny Sharpe confirmed she would be environment minister, Daniel Mookhey would be treasurer and transport would go to Jo Haylen, reports AAP’s Luke Costin.

No surprises here – these are the shadow portfolios each of them has held in opposition so they’ll be well versed on their new ministries.

Labor MP Penny Sharpe has confirmed she will be NSW new environment minister. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
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Outgoing premier on his way to Liberal party event

Dominic Perrottet has just left his home in Sydney’s Hills district and is headed toward the Liberal party’s election night function in the CBD.

TV cameras captured Perrottet being driven out of his home a few moments ago. It is a 25 minute drive to the Liberal party function.

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Terrigal is going down as a Labor gain

The Central Coast seat was held by the Liberals’s Adam Crouch on a margin of 12.3%. Crouch has held the seat for three terms. It was considered a Liberal stronghold.

Tonight, Labor’s Sam Boughton is projected to win the seat with a 1.5% margin, according to the ABC.

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