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.