NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has received a rockstar’s reception as he arrived at a public school in his local electorate to cast his vote in the election that will decide his political future.
Flanked by wife Anna and three sons, Mr Minns strode past crowds of Labor supporters eager to shake his hand at Carlton South Public School, in Sydney’s south.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in the people of Kogarah,” he said as he cast his ballot just after midday on Saturday.
“I’ve lived in the St George area all my life.”
Local auto mechanic Nathan Ferraro had been undecided about who to give his vote to as he wasn’t convinced either major party would help ease the rising cost of living.
But seeing the community’s positive reaction to Mr Minns changed his mind.
“You can see he’s a real local. He’s done a lot for the area,” he told AAP.
Retaining his seat of Kogarah will be Mr Minns’ first obstacle on the road to forming government as the electorate is held on a margin of 0.1 per cent, Labor’s narrowest.
Earlier, Mr Minns would not be drawn on what would happen if his party was to win the election but he was turfed out by local voters.
“It’s always been a tough seat,” he told reporters during an appearance in the nearby electorate of Oatley.
“I’m the only candidate that actually lives in the electorate, but I’m going to leave it up to my community.”
An election eve Newspoll showed Labor odds-on to form government, with a clear majority not out of the picture if the poll is accurate.
Labor led the coalition 54.5 to 45.5 on a two-party preferred basis, a swing of 6.5 per cent since 2019.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was doing his best to help turn the Liberal seat of Ryde red.
While Mr Albanese was complimentary of Premier Dominic Perrottet, he pointed to the retirement of key ministers including local MP Victor Dominello as proof the government was at the end of its life.
“The Liberals are too busy fighting each other and fighting the Nationals, and the Nationals fighting other Nationals, to actually fight for the people of New South Wales,” he said.
“It’s time for a change of government. And I hope that happens today.”
By Jacob Shteyman in Sydney
