Kiama MP Gareth Ward claimed a convincing win, bucking the statewide trend and slightly increasing his margin in the process.
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Labor candidate for Kiama Glenn Kolomeitz conceded shortly after 8pm.
Mr Ward estimated his margin had risen from just over 8 per cent in the 2011 election to 10 per cent.
Mr Ward held a joint post election day celebration with South Coast MP Shelley Hancock at the Bomaderry Bowling Club.
‘‘Four years ago I stood here and said this was the first time we had won this seat,’’ Mr Ward told supporters.
‘‘They said then it was a fluke. They said it was a once off. Well, friends, today we proved that was no fluke.’’
Mr Ward dismissed the Opposition leader Luke Foley’s comment that they had won back their heartland.
‘‘Well, mate, look at Albion Park, which we won on primaries,’’ Mr Ward said.
‘‘We have proved that hard work, determination and commitment to your community will pay off.
‘‘This is a message to Labor that the politics of fear, smear and lies will be defeated every single time by this community.’’
South Coast MP Shelley Hancock has been re-elected, although her margin is expected to be halved.
Mrs Hancock estimated her final margin would be clawed back from just over 20 per cent to about 8 or 9 per cent, however was pleased with results at the traditionally strong Labor booth of Sanctuary Point.
‘‘On two-party preferred we won every booth,’’ Ms Hancock said.
The Liberal MP said her electorate was such a diverse electorate that many towns and villages had different issues of importance, but the Opposition’s ‘‘poles and wires’’ campaign was one of the more significant issues as was policing in the central Shoalhaven.
Ms Hancock now begins her fourth term as South Coast MP.
She spent the past four years as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Ms Hancock said it was a job she would like to retain, but that would be a decision for the Premier Mike Baird.
‘‘I haven;t spoken to him about this ... I won’t pressure him into any decision.’’
Labor candidate for South Coast Fiona Phillips conceded defeat shortly before 9pm ion Saturday night.
‘‘I am pleased with the swings we have seen," Ms Phillips said.
- Alex Arnold
