NSW election update
The latest notional TPP count figures have Labor winning 53 seats, the Coalition 35, and the independents 5.
The close seat contests are: Port Stephens (where the Coalition is ahead of Labor by 19 votes); Newcastle (where Labor is ahead of the independent by 363 votes); Miranda (where Labor is ahead of the Coalition by 557 votes); Maitland (where Labor is ahead of the independent by 584 votes); Lake Macquarie (where Labor is ahead of the independent by 65 votes); and Dubbo (where the independent is ahead of the Coalition by 709 votes).
Peter Debnam has resigned his position as NSW Opposition leader. Apparently he did not have the numbers to stave off Barry O’Farrell’s challenge.
And Morris Iemma deferred appointing new minister Paul Gibson just hours before he was to be sworn in. Gibson is alleged to have assaulted his former partner Sandra Nori. The matter has been referred to the police for investigation.
Update: 4 April 2007: The NSW Count appears finished, except for Port Stephens where a recount is occurring, The only change from the previous count was that Lake Macquarie ended up being won by the independent, Greg Piper. Provided the Liberals can hold Port Stephens in the recount: the final outcome looks like: Labor 52, Coalition: 35, and Indpdendents: 6.