Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

NSW election final day of campaigning sees Chris Minns congratulate Dominic Perrottet, but says 'don't vote for him'

Labor and Coalition make final pitches on election eve.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has congratulated the premier on his election campaign, and revealed he "likes" Dominic Perrottet, before urging people not to vote for him. 

People in NSW are set to head to the polls on Saturdayin what many expect to be a close race — even a hung parliament is a possibility.

The premier and opposition leader have never contested an election as party leaders, and both must win seats on Saturday if they are to form a majority government.

Friday morning, the Labor leader said Mr Perrottet had run a positive campaign, focusing on political issues, rather than personalities. 

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns on the campaign trail in Eastwood. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns visits a supermarket in Eastwood. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)

"I do like him, I do like him, I just don't want people to vote for him," Mr Minns told ABC News Breakfast. 

"But he's a nice person and we do get on, I think the campaign's been really civil and I think that's been good for democracy in New South Wales."

Mr Perrottet said he was expecting the race to be tight, but remained hopefull of winning enough seats to form majority government.

"I think it's going to be close ... I'm putting everything into it, working right up to election day," he told ABC News Radio. 

Antony Green on where the NSW election will be decided.

Mr Perrottet said he had "constructive" relationship with the crossbench and was open to working with them to form government if required.

"I'd prefer that we were in majority government, that obviously is what I'm campaigning for, but, ultimately, that's not my decision," he said.

"That's a decision for the people of New South Wales, and we'll work with any parliament that the people of New South Wales provide."

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet with local candidat Felicity Wilson in North Sydney, and his wife Helen and baby Celeste. (AAP: Nikki Short)
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet with local candidate Tim James in Chatswood.  (AAP: Nikki Short)

The premier kicked off his last day of his campaign in Sydney's north, dropping in on the electorates of Willoughby, and the North Shore, where he was joined by his wife Helen.

Willoughby was held by the former premier Gladys Berejiklian, and was previously safe for the Coalition but had its margin slashed at a by-election in 2022. 

MP Tim James retained it for the government, but faced a tough contest from independent candidate Larissa Penn, who is again contesting the seat. 

NSW Votes 2023 on ABC iview

The Liberals privately fear the North Shore electorate is in danger of falling to independent candidate Helen Conway, who is backed by the Climate 200 group. 

She is challenging Liberal MP Felicity Wilson, who has held the seat since winning a by-election in 2017.

The 2023 NSW election explained(Ashleigh Raper)

Mr Minns has been touring Western Sydney electorates of Parramatta and Auburn this morning.

Labor sees winning Parramatta off the Liberals as critical to its prospects Saturday night.

Podcast Ep. 02 — Who are Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns?
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
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.