Labor has urged voters to send the NSW premier a message at the ballot box, hoping anger at his government could net them a “historic win” in at least one of four seats up for grabs in byelections.
Four months after Gladys Berejiklian’s sudden resignation prompted three other MPs to follow suit, polling day has finally arrived in Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby.
While about 40% of constituents in the electorates have already picked their candidate – voting early or via post – people began turning out to booths saturated with signage on Saturday morning.
The contests are the first electoral test for Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet and Labor leader Chris Minns, and come a year before all NSW voters heads to the polls in a general election.
Both men were recently elevated to their position and both are painting their parties as the underdog.
For Mr Perrottet, there is the usual swing against the government in by-elections, the loss of popular and senior MPs, as well as scrutiny of his handling of the surging Omicron wave.
The government is already in minority, and a loss of any further seats would force it to rely more heavily on the votes of independent or minor party MPs.