Tesch returns with absolute majority
Ms Liesl Tesch has been returned as Labor Member for Gosford with an absolute majority.
Ms Tesch received 50.89 per cent of the vote at the State election on Saturday, March 25, a swing to her of 6.8 per cent.
Ms Tesch previously held the seat with a 7.1 per cent margin.
Latest figures from the NSW Electoral Office showed 77.7 per cent of the vote had been counted for the 58,134 people enrolled in the Gosford electorate by Friday, March 31.
"I would thank the people of Gosford for their ongoing support and I look forward to the absolute privilege of representing our community in the NSW Parliament for another four years," said Ms Tesch.
Liberal Ms Dee Bocking received the next largest number of votes with 28.36 per cent, representing a swing away from the Liberals of 7.8 per cent.
After distribution of preferences, Ms Tesch received 65.48 per cent and Ms Bocking 34.52 per cent, representing an overall swing to Labor of 8.4 per cent.
Greens candidate Ms Hilary van Haren received 9.11 per cent, Shooters Fishers and Farmers candidate Mr Larry Freeman 4.06 per cent, independent Ms Lisa Bellamy 3.32 per cent, Animal Justice Party candidate Ms Emily McCallum 2.61 per cent and Sustainable Australia Party candidate Ms Ineka Soetens 1.64 per cent.
The numbers of first preference votes were Ms Tesch 22,267, Ms Bocking 12,409, Ms van Haren 3987, Mr Freeman 1778, Ms Bellamy 1454, Ms McCallum 1144 and Ms Soetens 716.
Total number of informal votes was 1435.
Ms Tesch received the highest number of first preference votes at all Peninsula polling booths.
Only at Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge and Somersby did Ms Bocking record higher numbers than Ms Tesch.
"This election clearly demonstrated that our community wants a fresh start," said Ms Tesch.
"People voted for a fair share on wages, and to see our health workers and teachers respected so they can support our community.
"Our community wants to see improvements in cost of living, prioritised housing affordability and to end the privatisation.
"The Minns Labor Government understands the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead and we're excited about the opportunity to invest on the Coast and make our communities a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
"The Gosford University Campus and the development of the Gosford Waterfront are two key items for the years ahead.
"The people of the Gosford electorate have made it clear they are tired of the glossy brochures and want to see real investment and positive change in the city of Gosford.
"Labor has committed $1.1 billion for roads across NSW, and I will fight to ensure that we receive much-needed road delivery in my electorate, especially across the Peninsula."
SOURCE:
Website, 29 Mar 2023
NSW Electoral Office
Media release, 31 Mar 2023
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford