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While there were a few upset election results elsewhere, the Illawarra's electoral map remained unchanged on Saturday.
Incumbent Labor MPs Noreen Hay, Ryan Park and Anna Watson were all returned comfortably in the ALP strongholds of Wollongong, Keira and Shellharbour. In Heathcote and Kiama, Lee Evans and Gareth Ward held on to their Liberal seats.
NSW Premier Mike Baird's affable personality resonated with voters, resulting in a second term for the Coalition. His popularity overcame Labor's desperate campaign against the privatisation of the state's electricity poles and wires.
But the ALP also made some significant gains, taking back the western Sydney Liberal seats of Londonderry, Prospect and Macquarie Fields, as well as Port Stephens and Maitland.
The Greens celebrated winning Balmain and Newtown, as well as Ballina on the North Coast. Lismore could also fall to the Greens, with the seat in doubt for the Nationals.
Despite a strong campaign from independent Arthur Rorris, Ms Hay was re-elected for her fourth term in Wollongong, winning 41.3 per cent of the first preference count as of Sunday night, compared to Mr Rorris on 20.8 per cent.
It was a 2.7 per cent swing away from Labor, with Mr Rorris outpolling Liberal candidate Cameron Walters on 19.7 per cent.
Wollongong was predicted to go down to the wire, but despite allegations of branch stacking, doctored meeting minutes and dodgy attendance books, Ms Hay won with a considerable margin.
Ms Hay thanked supporters for helping her through "a very traumatic few weeks".
"It was a tough, hard campaign and I'm happy the community has seen fit to elect me yet again," Ms Hay said.
"I just hope those naysayers will now just accept the fact that while there are those who would prefer someone else, or themselves, to be the MP they should accept the decision of the people."
Mr Rorris was proud of his "remarkable" result after a six-week campaign, receiving over 20 per cent of the vote.
"What it shows is the people of Wollongong are not prepared to sit down and just accept the mediocrity that has been served up to them for the past 12 years," he said.
In Keira, Mr Park said he was "humbled and shocked" at the extent of his win - a 15.4 per cent swing, scoring 54 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of Liberal candidate Philip Clifford on 27.36 per cent. A boundary redistribution meant Keira gained Bulli, Thirroul, Austinmer and Coledale from Heathcote, a Liberal seat.
The Labor MP said the win was down to hard work, determination and a community focus.
"I never thought that sort of swing would be possible in the space of one term," he said.
"For me it's a sign people expect and respect someone who's giving the job their all."
In Heathcote, Liberal incumbent Lee Evans was returned but with a 11.5 per cent swing to the ALP. Mr Evans won 50.1 per cent of the first preference count, compared to 32.7 per cent for Labor's Maryanne Stuart.
Mr Evans blamed a concentration of "union pressure" in his electorate for one of the highest swings in the state.
He said he was tired and emotional with the campaign made more difficult by the loss of his mother three weeks ago.
"I'm glad it's over, I'm proud to stay on representing my electorate but the opposition threw everything they had at us."
In Shellharbour, Anna Watson retained her seat for Labor, with a 9.9 per cent swing. She won 53 per cent of the vote, with Liberal candidate Mark Jones on 25.3 per cent.
Ms Watson said many voters had sent a clear message to the government about the poles and wires and her priorities for Shellharbour remained, including the Albion Park Rail bypass and upgrading Shellharbour Hospital.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward was celebrating after winning his seat for a second term for the Liberal Party. He won 52.8 per cent of the first preference vote, compared to ALP candidate Glenn Kolomeitz's 31.4 per cent.
Information: http://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/