The seat of Parramatta has fallen back into the Labor fold, with current Lord Mayor Donna Davis winning the seat at tonight’s State Election.
Sitting Liberal MP Geoff Lee retired at this election with first-time candidate Katie Mullens contesting the seat for the party.
Davis has achieved a swing of around 15 per cent in the seat – an extraordinary result that will make Parramatta an exceptionally safe Labor seat.
It comes as Labor prepares to emerge from the political wilderness in New South Wales with Chris Minns to become Premier.
It is somewhat of a landslide victory with the results for the Coalition worse than many were predicting.
Outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet praised Minns, saying he would make “a fine 47th Premier of NSW”.
“I believe he will lead with the same decency and the same integrity that he has led with so far,” Perrottet said.
Perrottet said the Coalition had delivered significant change over the last 12 years in New South Wales.
Dominic Perrottet concedes defeat at the Liberal Party’s NSW Election event at the Hilton in Sydney. #photo James Brickwood | @JamesBrickwood pic.twitter.com/L3lhnjLoCf
— SMH Photography (@photosSMH) March 25, 2023
“I am very proud to lead by Liberal team, but I stand on the shoulders of those who come before me – Barry O’Farrell, Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian,” he said.
“Their legacies are strong and New South Wales is a much better place for their leadership.”
Perrottet confirmed he would step down as Liberal leader.
Minns was introduced to the party faithful by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said he would be a “great Premier for the people of NSW”.
Minns said: “After 12 years in opposition, the people of New South Wales have voted for a fresh start.”
“We’ve been elected by the people of this state and we will govern for everyone in NSW. We know that the challenges are huge, we know the responsibilities are awesome, but NSW Labor is back and ready to govern in this great state.”
Chris Minns greeted by the Labor party faithful and press pack at Labor HQ #nswelection @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/d5AUq5gYGB
— Annalise Bolt (@AnnaliseBolt) March 25, 2023
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.