NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she "feels sorry" for Opposition Leader Jodi McKay as an internal battle brews over her future following Labor's defeat in the Upper Hunter by-election.
Key points:
- Jodi McKay insists there is no challenge to her leadership
- Gladys Berejiklian says her focus remains on the pandemic
- Federal MP Joel Fitzgibbon says voters have deserted Labor
The NSW Nationals held onto the seat of the Upper Hunter — the heart of the state's coal mining sector — at the weekend after recording a 2.7 per swing in its favour.
It was a surprise result given in by-elections there are typically swings against the government.
Both Ms McKay and candidate Jeff Drayton conceded defeat yesterday, in a loss she described as a "terrible result" which has left the part feeling "shell-shocked".
The ABC understands discussions are underway within NSW Labor over who will replace Ms McKay.
ABC News
)When asked today whether she would "miss Jodi", the Premier said she felt pity for the Labor leader.
"I actually feel sorry for her, NSW is a tough political business," Ms Berejiklian said.
The Premier said she wasn't too concerned about who could replace Ms McKay, as her focus was on the vaccine and pandemic management.
Prospective candidates who are being tapped to challenge the current Labor leader include transport spokesman Chris Minns, health spokesman Ryan Park, natural resources spokesman Paul Scully and former leader Michael Daley.
However, Ms McKay reaffirmed her position as leader at the weekend.
"There is no challenge, I'm leader and there's no challenge," Ms McKay said.
"I believe that I have to be part of the solution, we'll have more to say about what that means, but there's no challenge to my leadership."
AAP: Darren Pateman
)Ms McKay has blamed Labor's poor showing on fundamental issues that came to the fore after the 2019 election and are still plaguing the party despite her attempts at generating change.
She believes it would not matter who the leader was right now because "workers aren't voting" Labor.
"People didn't hear our message, the issues [with the party] are still there," Ms McKay said.
Federal Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon today issued a warning after the by-election result.
"Labor has to accept that our brand's in trouble that people deserted us or started to desert us some time ago now and it was clear on Saturday they are yet to come back," he said.
"We say we support their jobs but we've got to demonstrate that again."
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2021-05-24 02:52:40Z
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