National Interest

New South Wales voters gave Labor a beating in by-elections held yesterday, with the ALP losing one State seat and suffering large swings against it in two others. But while the party may be in intensive care, it's not dead yet. The Liberals captured the seat of Ryde vacated by former Deputy Premier John Watkins, however big swings were not sufficient to oust Labor from its heartland electorates of Cabramatta and Lakemba. Voters also dealt the Nationals a blow in Port Macquarie on the mid-north Coast, with the seat remaining independent. The take-home message for Labor is this: the replacement of Iemma by Nathan Rees hasn't restored much faith in the government.

Guests

David Burchell
Senior lecturer in politics and history, University of Western Sydney

Further Information

ABC Elections: New South Wales Legislative Assembly 2008 by-elections

Presenter

Peter Mares

Producer

James Panichi

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