The New South Wales Labor Party has claimed victory in the seats of Newcastle and Charlestown, after two by-elections were held in the Hunter today.
The seats were vacated after Liberal MP’s Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell admitted to the Independent Commission Against Corruption they had accepted banned donations.
Charlestown Labor candidate and Lake Macquarie Mayor Jodie Harrison had a comfortable win.
“This is Labor heartland, this is where we live, we are Labor people and we have good strong policy to support the working people of the Hunter,” said Ms Harrison as she claimed victory.
But it was much tighter in the seat of Newcastle for Labor’s Tim Crakanthorp.
Mr Crakanthorp finished with 36.95% of the first preference vote, or 14,895 votes, while Independent candidate Karen Howard claimed 26.32%, or 10,610 votes. Greens candidate Michael Osborne came home with 19.86% of the vote.
When addressing the crowd, State Opposition Leader John Robertson said “The people of the Hunter have put their faith in Labor and we will never let them down again.”
Voters in both seats will go back to the polls again in March, for the state’s general election.
