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Election held in New South Wales Labor returns for fourth NSW term
(1 day later)
Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, is going to the polls with the Labor party expected to win a fourth term in office. Voters in Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, have re-elected the Labor Party for a fourth term.
Polls put Labor ahead of its main Liberal-National rival, despite a campaign described as lacklustre by Australian media. Labor had been expected to win against its main Liberal-National rival, despite a campaign described as lacklustre by Australian media.
Roads and water infrastructure, as well as economic management, have been the key issues of the campaign. The incumbent government of Premier Morris Iemma took a clear majority in the state parliament, despite a swing against Labor of more than 4%.
A former Guantanamo Bay detainee is standing as an independent. A former Guantanamo Bay detainee failed in his bid for election.
Mamdouh Habib is contesting a seat in a suburb of Sydney, although he is thought to stand little chance of success. Mamdouh Habib, 51, who stood as an independent, had contested a seat in a suburb of Sydney.
He is one of a handful of Muslims standing in the election, in the hope of gaining a political voice. He was one of a handful of Muslims standing in the election, in the hope of gaining a political voice.
Sydney's Muslim community has been affected by recent controversies, including a row over comments made by the country's top Islamic cleric and race riots in December 2006. Main opposition leader Peter Debnam, of the Liberal-National coalition, conceded defeat in the poll late on Saturday.
Voter dissatisfaction "The people of NSW have given Labor one last chance to fix the problems in this state," he said.
Polls in the last days of campaigning predicted Premier Morris Iemma and the Labor party would be returned to government. He had focused his campaign on the state's dwindling water supply.
Distance
Mr Iemma became New South Wales premier 18 months ago, after long-term leader Bob Carr announced his resignation.Mr Iemma became New South Wales premier 18 months ago, after long-term leader Bob Carr announced his resignation.
He has sought to distance himself from the legacy of Mr Carr, amid dissatisfaction in the state over Labor's 12 years in power, analysts say.He has sought to distance himself from the legacy of Mr Carr, amid dissatisfaction in the state over Labor's 12 years in power, analysts say.
Mr Iemma has promised a "massive improvement" to the state's public transport system if he is re-elected, saying it would be his "number one priority... it will be so over the next four years".Mr Iemma has promised a "massive improvement" to the state's public transport system if he is re-elected, saying it would be his "number one priority... it will be so over the next four years".
Main opposition leader Peter Debnam, of the Liberal-National coalition, has focused his campaign on the state's dwindling water supply. New South Wales is home to about six million of Australia's roughly 21 million people. Most of whom live in Sydney and a few other cities.
Recent opinion polls showed Labor had more than 50% of the vote, while the Liberal-Nationals had 44-47%. The polls come in an election year in Australia.
New South Wales' polls come in an election year in Australia.
Prime Minister John Howard, who leads the Liberal-National coalition, is expected to call elections in the second half of 2007.Prime Minister John Howard, who leads the Liberal-National coalition, is expected to call elections in the second half of 2007.