NSW Election

27 March 2023

The federal electorate of Macquarie comprises two very different state electorates. They don't call the Blue Mountains the 'red mountains' for no reason. My state Labor colleague Trish Doyle achieved a remarkable result on Saturday night with her third victory. So far, she has increased her primary vote by about eight per cent, to 53 per cent, and the two-party preferred vote is at 72 per cent. Congratulations, Trish, and all the party members and volunteers who contributed to this result. It will be terrific working with her on mountains issues, especially Katoomba hospital and the Great Western Highway.

In the Hawkesbury, Amanda Kotlash achieved around a five per cent swing to Labor. This is an impressive result in one of the Liberals' safest seats in New South Wales. I congratulate her and the team and give a shout-out to the young volunteers in the Hawkesbury, many of whom I stood with on Saturday. They know exactly what sort of future they're fighting for. I congratulate Robyn Preston on being returned as the member for Hawkesbury, and I hope we can work together to resolve the many outstanding state issues that go to the flood recovery.

I particularly look forward to working with the Minns Labor government—doesn't that sound good?—on their commitments to rebuild TAFE, upgrade Bligh Park community centre, install fencing for the Bligh Park Football Club and provide the new fantastic funding for the Women's Cottage, not to mention improving our Hawkesbury roads.