Upper Hunter by-election a disastrous result for Labor23/05/2021|1min
The Upper Hunter by-election was a “disastrous result” for Labor and “good news” for Scott Morrison, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison “wants to win three federal Labor seats in the Hunter region in an environment of a Labor energy policy split”.
“On these numbers Joel Fitzgibbon would lose his seat of Hunter,” Mr Clennell said.
The Nationals appear on track to retain the Upper Hunter seat they ve held for 90 years in a crucial by-election that threatened the Berejiklian government s majority in NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined the campaign trail in an eleventh hour bid to save the seat.
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NSW Labor is facing a bitter internal battle over leadership, with four contenders lining up to replace Opposition Leader Jodi McKay on the back of a disastrous byelection loss in Upper Hunter.
As the Nationalsâ Dave Layzell was elected to the seat held by the Coalition for 93 years, Laborâs primary vote slumped to 21 per cent on Saturday, down from 28 per cent in 2019.
Labor leader Jodi McKay says the Upper Hunter byelection came too early for the party.
Credit:James Brickwood
Independents, including Malcolm Turnbullâs endorsed candidate Kirsty OâConnell, took many of Laborâs votes, as well as One Nation. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers had a swing against it.
Potentially months out from a federal election, Labor MPs say the loss in the weekend’s state byelection should prompt soul-searching inside the party.