Relief for Australian PM Scott Morrison as Liberal-National coalition wins New South Wales election

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expects to form a majority government with between 47 and 49 seats

Morrison has struggled to gain traction with voters since becoming national leader in August amid party infighting

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New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:43pm, 24 Mar 2019Updated: 10:28pm, 24 Mar 2019

Allies of Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed an election victory in Australia’s most populous state, with vote counting continuing to determine whether the Liberal-National coalition will need support from minor parties to rule.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian became the first woman to be elected as premier in New South Wales, after taking the leadership two years ago when the previous leader, Mike Baird, stood down.

Most of the state’s nearly eight million people live in Sydney and surrounding areas on Australia’s southeastern coastline.

“In addition to my gender, I think what’s historic is that my party has not had a third term in this state for half a century,” she told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. “It’s not something that is achieved easily.” The premier said she expects to form a majority government with between 47 and 49 seats.

The victory will be welcomed by her Liberal-National colleagues in Morrison’s federal coalition government. He has struggled to gain traction with voters since becoming national leader in August amid party infighting, with opinion polls showing his alliance is set to lose a May national election to the opposition Labor party.

“We know that in a few months, our party will be in a battle as well,” Berejiklian said on Saturday. “And I want to tell the Prime Minister Scott Morrison – who’s here this evening – we will do everything we can to support you and your government’s re-election.”