Ward claims Kiama as counting continues in three too-close-to-call seats

“We won’t be entering into deals with Garth Ward if he’s elected the member for Kiama,” the then-opposition leader said in early March. “I don’t think it’s appropriate given both sides of politics moved … to suspend him from parliament just a few months ago.”

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On Tuesday afternoon, Minns again ruled out negotiating with Ward if Labor is in minority government, but refused to be drawn on how he planned to deal with Ward.

“We’re not going to negotiate with him at all,” he told reporters. “I want to wait and see what the outcome of the ballot is.”

Labor conceded the seat on Wednesday afternoon, with McInerney posting on Facebook that she accepted the result and was “looking forward to spending some time with my family and continuing to advocate for my community”.

The Herald also called the seat of Miranda, in Sydney’s south, for Liberal Eleni Petinos after votes for her surged ahead on Wednesday morning. The safe Liberal seat, held by the former fair trading minister since 2015, recorded a 12 per cent swing toward Labor.

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Three seats remained too close to call on Wednesday afternoon. Labor’s candidates were trailing behind their Liberal counterparts in Terrigal, Goulburn and Holsworthy, with more than 70 per cent of the votes in each electorate counted.

If current vote counting trends in those three seats were to continue, Labor would be unable to secure a majority in parliament.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.