Chris Minns: 'The people of NSW have voted for a fresh start', election victory speech - 2023

25 March 2023, Sydney Australia

Friends after 12 years in opposition, the people of New South Wales have voted for a fresh start. I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners and thank all of you for being here. I'd like to acknowledge and thank all our wonderful Labor volunteers right across New South Wales. Thanks for the heart and soul that you put into our party. The most important thing you can give is your labour and to do it in the cause of something that you love and care about is a special thing. The Labor Party would be nothing without you. We owe you everything. Thank you so much.

To our candidates, to our members of Parliament and the best deputy leader any party could ever have, to Prue Carr,  who will be a wonderful Education Minister in this great state. Thanks for everything Prue.

To all of the volunteers in the state seat of Kobra. Thank you so much. Thought it was going to be close, but in the end we got there. Thanks everyone. We managed to get Nicholas over the line as well, which is a big win. And congratulations to Rockdale as well. And in particular, my mate, Steve Camper. Thanks so much for everything, Steve.

Also a huge thank you to the Prime Minister of this country, Anthony Albanese. I don't know where he is gone, but Anthony, thanks for everything. And thank you for putting your heart and soul into the New South Wales Labor campaign. We truly, truly appreciate it.

Friends, the people of New South Wales voted to put in a government that would put people, people, at the heart of all decision making, and we will not let them down. Moments ago, I got a phone call from the premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrotet congratulating New South Wales Labor on its victory here tonight.

And I would like to say thank you to the Premier for his service on behalf of the people of New South Wales, and I know from Anna and myself, we want to say thank you to Helen and Dominic for their service to the people of this State.

I think it's undeniably the case that 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. And I think it can be a model for the way democracy is done right across this country. Now, 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.

We started effectively two years ago with a promise to the people of New South Wales that we would run an election campaign asking people to vote, a positive vote for New South Wales labour and not just a negative vote against the government. And I'm proud to say today, the people of New South Wales voted for the removal of the unfair wages cap in New South Wales.

Friends, they voted for our nurses, our teachers, they voted for our paramedics and police. And there was a basic acknowledgement at the end of the day that during the Covid emergency, the people of New South Wales that work in our hospitals, and our schools, in our emergency departments put themselves second and the public first, and put their own safety and health to one side to look after the people of New South Wales. So New South Wales Labor pledges to look after the people who looked after us.

It's undeniably the case that today's election was also a decisive vote against privatisation. To retain Sydney Water and essential energy in New South Wales government hands. To put it into the Constitution and to never sell it and to stop all future governments selling the assets that we need to live, thrive, and survive in New South Wales.

There are many challenges facing the State of New South Wales over the next four years, but the team that I lead is ready for the challenges and opportunities of government, and we will not let the people of this State down. I want take this opportunity to acknowledge my wonderful staff, including Sarah Michael, Ed Avadia, Zach Solomon, Lachie Harris, and of course the little general James Cullen.

My electorate office as well, Cherie, Cheryl, Loretta, and Jessie, thanks so much for everything. Cherie Burton down there, a huge shout out to the New South Wales party office led by General Secretary Bob Namba. Thank you so much, Bob. And Bob's two deputies, Dom Offner and George Simon. Tireless work, tireless work, putting the interest of the party first, working around the clock, and the results speak for themselves.

A huge thank you to the trade union movement of New South Wales, men and women who put the interests of working people at front and centre in this election campaign. We thank you for your solidarity, your hard work, and your commitment to your members.

Thanks so much to my mum and dad, John and Cara, and to my in-laws, Tom and Kath. Thanks for everything. And to our three boys, Joe, Nicholas and George, and thanks Nicholas for being the campaign spokesperson at the very end. We really appreciate that.

And lastly, to my wonderful wife, Anna, who I'm really glad she wasn't running in Kogra, I'd be in real trouble. Thanks so much, honey. Thanks for everything. Look, after 12 years in opposition, I want to say to the people who voted for Labor or voted for the Liberals and Nationals, or voted for independents or minor party candidates.

Today we've been elected by the people of this state, but we will govern for everyone in New South Wales. We know that the challenges are huge. We know the responsibilities are awesome, but New South Wales Labor is back and ready to govern in this great state.

Dominic Perrottet: 'This election was truly a race to the top', concession speech - 2023

25 March 2023, Sydney New South Wales, Australia

Friends, thank you so much for being here this evening. A short while ago, I called Chris Minns to congratulate him and the Labor Party on their election victory. The people of New South Wales, the great people of New South Wales tonight have decided to elect a Labor government in this state.

And that is a decision that we respect. I particularly tonight want to acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition. Elections can get ugly, but I believe this election truly was a race to the top, a genuine battle of ideas. And that's when politics is at its best. And in many ways that is due to Chris Minns and the way that he's carried himself throughout this campaign. And that's why I truly believe and have no doubt that he will make a fine 47th Premier of New South Wales, because I believe that he will lead with the same decency and the same integrity that he has led with so far.

And ultimately, I ask everybody across New South Wales, whatever your political persuasion, to get behind him, to get behind him. Because when New South Wales goes well, our country goes well. And that is something tonight I believe we can all get behind.

Now friends, it goes without saying. I think we all would would've wanted to have a different result this evening. But as a party, we as a government should be very proud of what we have achieved together. And I feel a profound sense of gratitude to have been able to serve the people of New South Wales.

Make no mistake. We've made history, been in government for the longest time since our party was formed, and our government has achieved so much in so many ways. We have kept New South Wales strong, free and fair.

Friends, New South Wales is a much better place today than it was 12 years ago, and that will be the legacy of our Liberal and Nationals government here in our state.

Our record is one of infrastructure, of investment and of imagination. We have rebuilt this state from the ground up with the biggest building agenda since federation. We built the first metros when they said it couldn't be done. Motorways that have changed the face of our city. More schools and hospitals than any government in our history and museums and stadiums befitting this world, class city and Australia's truly only global city.

We have laid also the foundations for a strong future, with three more metros and the second airport opening soon, this will turbocharge and transform our state for generations. And at the same time we've transformed service delivery, with record investments in health, in education, in public transport - not to mention Service New South Wales else.
And we've done the work, our government has done the hard work to keep our economy strong, to keep jobs plentiful. and taxes low, just like good Liberal governments do.
Now friends, when I took this job, I said I wanted to be a premier for families. And we have kept that promise, with record support for families across the board. But we've also dared to imagine a different future, where every child gets access to five days free preschool before they start kindergarten by getting of stamp duty, so that we help first home buyers reach that great Australian dream faster.

In a New South Wales State budget that is not propped up by the rivers of tears from the misery of problem gambling in this state.

Friends. Friends, we leave New South Wales a more stronger, more confident and more successful state than we found it. And we've achieved all of this whilst navigating some of the most difficult times, with droughts and fires and floods, we pushed through the pandemic and led our nation out of lockdown.

Difficult decisions. Difficult decisions, but the right decisions. I particularly want to acknowledge tonight our communities who have been significantly affected by floods. And I want to particularly acknowledge the community in the Northern Rivers. The devastation and the challenges that we saw will stay with me for the rest of my life. But what's more is the selflessness, the generosity, the spirit of service that I saw of our people in those regions in the most difficult times. And sometimes it's through the darkest times that brings out the best. But the values and that spirit that I had the great privilege to witness as Premier of this state, is something that will always be with me for the rest of my life. And it really shows to me how great Australia is and how great our people are.

Friends, tonight, can I say I am very proud to lead my Liberal team, but I stand on the shoulders of those who have come be before me. Barry O'Farrell, Mike Baird, and Gladys Berijiklian. Each of those leaders have left an indelible mark on our great state. Their legacies are strong, and New South Wales is a much better place for their leadership. And from my perspective, I couldn't have asked for better examples of leaders to learn from.
I want to thank my Coalition colleagues, for all the support they have shown me as premier of this state and during the campaign. My deputy and treasurer, Matt Keene, my former former Deputy Stuart Ayres. It doesn't appear that Stuart will have the result that he wanted, or that I wanted, this evening in Penrith, but Stuart can hold his head very high. He has served his community of Penrith incredibly well, and he has served our state with distinction. I want to thank the deputy, the deputy, premier, and leader of the National Party, Paul Toole. it has been a real privilege serving with him and he has been a champion for regional New South Wales, and in what is a difficult night for the Coalition, it has been a strong night for the National Party. And it shows that the National Party is the party of regional New South Wales.

I want to issue a special thank you to all the candidates for the Liberal party who put their hands up to run at this election. I want to particularly thank those who were unsuccessful, but also those who have lost their seats this evening. Politics is tough, but each of those members who weren't successful tonight have served their communities with distinction. And I want to thank them so much for their service to the people of New South Wales.
I want to acknowledge the Liberal Party organisation and particularly pass on my thanks to Chris Stone.

Chris has led a great team at Liberal Party headquarters, and he's run many campaigns, but to be part, for him to be part of this team and the leadership that he has shown, Chris, thank you so very much.

I want to thank all the ministerial and electorate staff who work tirelessly each and every day for the people of New South Wales. Thank you for everything that you have done over the last twelve years.

To all the volunteers, not just in the Liberal Party, but volunteers from all political parties who today spent much of the day handing out pamphlets, supporting our great democracy. Thank you for everything that you've done over the course of the day.

 But to everyone in the Liberal party, I'd say this. This next period of time will not be easy, but it will be necessary. It is a time to reflect. It is a time to rethink and ultimately to renew.
As leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party. I take full responsibility for the loss this evening, and as a result, I will be standing down as the parliamentary leader of the Liberal part. It's very clear, we need a fresh start. We need a fresh start.

We did a fresh start for the liberal party. I want to thank the community of Epping and recognise their continued support. And thank them very much for supporting me at this election. Of all the 90 electorates across the state, Epping is the best. It is. I've had a few. It is the best, because it is my home. And thank you so much for your support.
Last lastly, and most importantly, I want to acknowledge my family, particularly Helen for everything she's done.

Helen is an amazing support. And I could not do this job and serve the people of our state without everything that she does for me and our family every single day. So thank you. To my kids, who should be a asleep, but they're probably not. Charlotte, Amelia, Annabelle, William, Harriet, Beatrice, and Celeste, you're not asleep. So just want to say I love you very much. Thank you for everything.

I want to finish tonight by saying that I didn't get into politics for a job. I got into politics to serve. And I want to thank every person across New South Wales for the great opportunity that you have given me. It has been an absolute honour and privilege, the greatest honour and privilege that I've had in my entire life. Thank you and good night.