The Nationals’ Steph Cooke will enter her third term as Member for Cootamundra after retaining her seat in a landslide victory in Saturday’s state election.

Although New South Wales voters chose to abandon the Coalition Government after 12 years and switch to Labor to lead the state, the people of the Cootamundra electorate remained loyal to Ms Cooke.

She was rewarded for her achievements as the incumbent member as voters placed their faith in her for another four years.

Ms Cooke’s achievements in the electorate have not gone unnoticed as she increased the percentage of her vote from 77.07 per cent in the 2019 election, to 80.48 per cent.

Her closest rival was Labor’s Chris Dahlitz with (at time of press) 19.52 per cent two-party preferred.

Ms Cooke, who held the position of State Emergency Services and Resilience Minister and Minister for Flood Recovery in the Liberal-Nationals Government, stood on her reputation as an effective, dedicated, and honest advocate for the electorate’s constituents.

“Above all else I thank the people of the electorate for their support in this election,” she said on Sunday.

“It’s a very humbling result locally and it’s been a privilege to serve this electorate for the past five-and-a-half years and I look forward to continuing to serve it for the next four years.

“It’s also been a privilege to serve as the Emergency Services and Resilience Minister and Flood Recovery Minister and I’m deeply grateful to Dominic Perrotett and Paul Toole for the confidence they showed in me, the trust in me and for their leadership.

“I congratulate the incoming Premier Chris Minns and wish him all the best.”

Facing a new set of challenges, Ms Cooke refused to be daunted by the challenges she might face as a member of the Opposition.

“The Shadow Ministry is appointed by the leader, but my focus today is very much on the Cootamundra electorate,” she said.

“No doubt being in the Opposition will be an adjustment for me, but it doesn’t change my resolve.

“I’ll be looking after my electorate and seeing that it receives what it deserves.”

Labor back after 12 long years

Ms Cooke has vowed to continue fighting for a “fair share of resolutions” in the region.

She said she was “more determined to tackle the issues head on”.

“I will continue to fight in all the important areas and I am going to fight extremely hard for regional NSW and above all else, for my seat of small communities and hold the new government accountable,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’m already thinking what we need and to continue to fight for those things – like a new police station for Young, a brand new hospital for Coolamon and all the projects that are important to our communities.

“The Temora Hospital development is paramount and it’s now important for the incoming Labor Government to make it clear to these communities of their intentions to see the projects through.

“I look forward to continuing these projects’ progression.” Ms Cooke shared her election victory with the communities in her electorate.

“I’m extremely grateful we’ve worked together and this election result is one I share with the people of the Cootamundra electorate,” she said.

“Together we’ve worked hard to secure investment and funding.

“I love each and every community in my electorate and together we’ll ensure the priorities receive the attention and funding that is required.

“I won’t rest; I’ll carry on the path we’ve been going to secure funding and I’m confident I’ll work as hard as I’ve done without a shadow of a doubt.”

Meanwhile, after 12 years in opposition, Labor is back in government in NSW.

Chris Minns will be the 47th premier of NSW.

The 43-year-old, in his victory speech, said the people of NSW had voted for a fresh start.

Labor had campaigned strongly on the issue of privatisation, but otherwise adopted a small target strategy.

“It is undeniably the case that today’s election was also a decisive vote against privatisation, to retain Sydney Water and Essential Energy in the NSW Government,” the incoming premier said.

The election was hailed as a dignified battle, where policy debates trumped personal attacks.

Mr Minns paid tribute to outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet who announced he will quit as state Liberal leader.

“This election campaign, perhaps uniquely, was a model of respect and civility, and neither party took the low road, neither political party took the low blow,” Mr Minns said.

“It can be a model for the way democracy is done right across this country. I can’t say that every election campaign in the future will be conducted the same way but, from now on, no-one will be able to say that it can’t be.”

Mr Perrottet said Mr Minns would make a fine replacement as he took full responsibility for his party’s loss.

“And, as a result I will be standing down as the Parliamentary Liberal Party leader.”

“It is very clear we need a fresh start.”

There was a swing of about 7 per cent away from the Coalition. Voting continues. Mr Perrottet urged everyone in NSW to get behind Mr Minns for the sake of the country.

“I ask everybody across NSW, whatever your political persuasion, to get behind him, because when NSW goes well, our country goes well, and that is something I believe we can all unite behind.” Mr Perrottet, who became premier 18 months ago after Gladys Berejiklian quit amid a corruption probe, had sought a fourth term for the coalition.

The coalition governed for two years in minority with 46 seats, while Labor held 38 seats, with nine crossbenchers, including three Greens MPs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said NSW had come together to choose a better future.

“Chris Minns has been a great leader for NSW Labor,” Mr Albanese told the Labor faithful.

“And after tonight, he will be a great premier for the people of NSW.” 

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 30 March 2023.