NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has acknowledged a win in todays Upper Hunter by-election “would be breaking the course of history”, while issuing a final plea to voters.
The Premier, flanked by Nationals candidate David Layzell, and Deputy Premier John Barilaro, lent a hand to the campaign at a polling booth in Muswellbrook this morning.
There are 13 candidates contesting the seat which has been held by the Nationals for 90 years, but it is on a tight margin of 2.6 per cent.
The Premier warned today was going to be a “close call”.(ABC News
)
“Under the circumstances, we will absolutely be breaking the course of history if were successful,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The average swing against a government in a by-election in the last decade and a half has been 15 per cent.
With more than 40 per cent of the electorate pre-voting, a loss in the crucial by-election would further plunge her government into minority.
Ms Berejiklian would not be drawn on the ramifications of a loss saying, “I dont deal in hypotheticals,” instead focusing on the Nationals candidate.
By-election will have ramifications for all parties but one leader has the most to lose
Today’s Upper Hunter by-election is sure to cause a ripple effect through the state’s political parties.
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“Dave Layzell is needed to ensure we have a safe and strong government in New South Wales,” she said.
“We want to keep on delivering those things that matter to our local community, but also make sure that we keep our community safe and take our state forward into the future.”
Mr Barilaro said the Nationals had given it their all to keep the seat left vacant after Nationals MP Michael Johnsen resigned following sexual assault allegations.
“We’ve given it our all,” he said.
“The circumstances we find ourselves in for the by-election, many would have written us off at the start, but to actually be in the race is a good thing.”
At polling centres handing out flyers for Labor candidate Jeff Drayton, was NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, who said voters had told Labor they wanted change.
“They want their fair share of the mining royalties that this region generates and they want to make sure that as a party Labor is protecting jobs and creating jobs, and that is the promise we have made here today,” she said.
Jodi McKay’s Labor leadership could rest on the outcome of the by-election.(ABC News
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