Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Phoebe Loomes

Action mulled on two MPs as NSW set for minority rule

The NSW Labor government will lead with a minority in parliament and will need crossbench help. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The NSW Labor government's hopes of ruling in majority have ended, as ministers consider taking action against two newly-elected MPs.

Vote counting in three close seats handed two wins to the Liberal Party on Saturday, leaving Labor's hopes of reaching a 47-seat majority in the dust.

Projections show the Liberal Party will retain the Central Coast electorate of Terrigal and the southwestern Sydney seat of Holsworthy, while the north west Sydney seat of Ryde remains in doubt, ABC's Election Analyst Antony Green said on Saturday.

If Labor is able to win Ryde, the government will reach 46 seats, one short of a majority, while the Liberal-National coalition is likely to land between 35 and 36 seats.

Meanwhile, the Minns government is mulling referring independent MP Gareth Ward to the parliament's privileges committee, and has called for NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham to apologise for a homophobic tweet.

Mr Ward, a former Liberal minister, was re-elected as the independent MP for Kiama while fighting five sexual assault charges.

He pleaded not guilty to five criminal offences last week, and is due to stand trial in the NSW District Court after being formally arraigned.

He has consistently maintained his innocence and said in a statement released last week he looks forward to getting back to work.

On Saturday, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe would not rule out a motion to suspend Mr Ward, saying the government was considering its options.

"We could look at referring him to the privileges committee, but we're waiting until the final declaration of the poll."

Ms Sharpe also called on Mr Latham to apologise to Sydney MP Alex Greenwich after the One Nation member posted, then deleted a homophobic and graphic tweet.

"Mark Latham and his behaviour over the last couple of days is completely unacceptable," Ms Sharpe said.

The parliament was unable to discipline Mr Latham, she said, as he had used a loophole allowing him to resign before the state election and run again for election.

He will re-enter the parliament with a renewed eight-year term.

"Let's see in terms of what happens after the press of the button on the upper house ballot on the 20th of April," she said.

Mr Latham resisted calls to apologise in a defiant statement to the Saturday Telegraph.

"Sometimes in public life when you throw out insults they come back at you harder and truer ... So boo-hoo Alex Greenwich," Mr Latham said.

The comments were called homophobic and sexualised by Mr Greenwich, who said Mr Latham was not fit to serve in parliament.

"Mr Latham is clearly unfit for office and I hope he gets the help he needs," Mr Greenwich told AAP.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.