Early voting is underway in the race to replace disgraced state MP Gareth Ward. This Saturday’s Kiama by-election is shaping up as a traditional Labor versus Liberal showdown and a test of the Minns government's first-term performance.
00:01It's so good to be here this morning in Kiama.
00:06Serena and Mark here to announce our wonderful candidate in Kiama.
00:10The Premier and the Opposition Leader have been frequent visitors to the South Coast over the past month,
00:15but they're not here for the views, they're here for the votes in the Kiama by-election.
00:19It's been triggered by the resignation of convicted sex offender Gareth Ward.
00:24A former Liberal turned independent, Ward barely scraped past Labor's Caitlin McInerney at the last state election.
00:30This time round, the ALP's returning candidate is the clear favourite.
00:35What people in this electorate are telling me they want is someone who will listen and someone who will deliver.
00:40Is it a litmus test on you and your government?
00:43I don't know what kind of test it is, but it's a test.
00:45It's also a test for the state Liberals and their ability to separate themselves from the Federal Party's flagging fortunes.
00:52They've gone local with their candidate, former Shellhaven councillor, Serena Copley.
00:57I am focused entirely on the community of Kiama.
01:00I'm quite enthusiastic about making some changes, I suppose, based on the current circumstances.
01:06He's a Premier that tends to look at things and so he will see how people have voted here and it could give him food for thought.
01:14With councils here strapped for cash, community leaders have been putting their wishlists out there, bringing in mixed results.
01:20We're asking for a handout, but we've got lands to unlock that will make us financially sustainable into the future if we can work better with state government.
01:28A total of 13 candidates are on the ballot, meaning preferences could prove crucial in determining who passes and fails this midterm test.
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