Congratulations to all candidates who put their hands up and their lives on the line to run as candidates – thank you for making our democracy a reality.

Congratulations to the winners: 

- Mike Baird and the Coalition across the state.

- Pru Goward in the seat of Goulburn

- Ursula Stephens for one of the biggest swings of all time – around 20 percent and winning two Yass booths on election day.

 - Luke Foley and the whole Labor team for a big swing across the state creating a solid opposition for this term of government

-The National Party for making it possible for the Coalition to govern – with Labor and the Liberals winning pretty much the same number of seats, it is the Nationals 16 seats that make the difference.

Excellent result in both Yass booths on Election Day.  Yass made it very clear that it wanted to be represented by Labor.

A fantastic campaign by Labor’s Ursula Stephens that was positive and took a real interest in people and their communities.

Luke Foley’s gracious concession speech.  He went beyond normal platitudes to say some very generous things about his opposite number, Mike Baird.

The energy and commitment of our volunteers, especially the ordinary workers who weren’t party members and came out to support jobs in the Yass Valley.

The friendly relationships and banter among the volunteers of all parties at the polling booths.

Some welcome announcements for Yass Valley, especially Labor’s announcement of $10 million to upgrade Yass High $25 million for a Murrumbateman School.  While the Liberals didn’t match these promises in the campaign, let’s hope we see some action in this term of government.

The length of pre-polling. Too many people had already voted when important policy announcements were made.  

The absence of the Nationals in the race for the seat of Goulburn.  

The introduction of the prospect of foreign ownership into the debate about the sell-off of the poles and wires.  The debate should have been about private ownership, full stop.  I was very disappointed in those on our side who initiated this. 

The hijacking of Luke Foley’s hospital announcement in Goulburn by blue-shirted Liberal supporters.

Mike Baird’s ungracious victory speech which was characterised by his negative attack on Labor, which made him look a diminished figure, especially given Luke Foley’s generous remarks.  

The number of people exhausting their votes by not directing preferences.  As a result lots of people’s votes didn’t end up helping decide the final result.

(A final word)

Thanks to Ursula’s great campaign, the Labor comeback in country NSW has begun.