As it happened: Labor and Chris Minns cruises to landslide election win, Perrottet stands down as Liberal leader

Minns has addressed a raucous Labor HQ in Brighton Le-Sands after his election win.

“Thank you. I did not think we would make it through,” Minns said.

“Friends after 12 years in opposition, the people of New South Wales have voted for a fresh start.”

Minns acknowledged Perrottet had conceded and thanked him for his service as premier.

“I think it is undeniably the case at 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.

“I think it can be a model for the way democracy is done right across this country.

“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.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a mad dash from the football to introduce Minns to Labor faithful as the new premier of New South Wales.

“Tonight the people of New South Wales have come together to choose a better future,” he said.

“Tonight, a fresh start for New South Wales is beginning. And it starts with a great leader.”

Echoing his own acceptance speech when he won the Federal Election last year, Albanese said Minns would be the premier for everyone, regardless of who they voted for.

“With Chris, his great team, and all the energy and talent that they will bring to government, please give a big hand for my friend, the premier.”

With Perrottet confirming he will no longer lead the state Liberal Party, the door is open for the next state opposition leader.

Matt Kean is primed to put his hand up, assuming he retains his seat of Hornsby.

Speaking to the ABC, he said it was “too soon”.

“It is too early, I haven’t thought about it,” he said.

Senior Liberal figures retiring at this election include David Elliott and Brad Hazzard, ruling them out of the running. Another stalwart, Stuart Ayres, looks likely to lose his seat of Penrith.

Perrottet has confirmed he will be standing down as leader of the NSW Liberal Party following the election loss.

“As leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party, I take full responsibility for the loss this evening,” he said.

“It is very clear we need a fresh start, we need a fresh start.”

He thanked the community of Epping, his local electorate, for re-electing him.

During a debate with Minns on 7NEWS earlier this month, he promised to serve out his full term as local member even if the Coalition lost the election.

Watch Perrottet’s full speech below:

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Perrottet has addressed the party faithful, confirming he has conceded the election.

“A short while ago I called Chris Minns to congratulate him and the Labor Party on their election win.

“The great people of NSW have tonight decided to elect a Labor government into 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 was truly a race to the top. A genuine battle of ideas, and that is when politics is at its best.”

Watch Perrottet’s full speech below:

7NEWS understands Dominic Perrottet has called Chris Minns to concede the election.

State political reporter Amelia Brace says Minns will address Labor faithful after Perrottet speaks at Liberal Party HQ.

7NEWS is projecting Labor will win 49 seats, two more than the minimum required for a majority.

It’s believed Perrottet is yet to concede, but Minns is preparing to leave for party headquarters to address Labor faithful.

State Nationals’ leader Paul Toole says the calling of a Labor win doesn’t surprise him, saying the Coalition went into the election as the “underdog”.

He said a bright spot was emerging in the regions, with Nationals candidates seeing swings toward them in some seats.

Toole is expected to retain his seat of Bathurst with a swing of about 5 per cent his way.