All three seats in the region – Whitlam, Cunningham and Gilmore _ saw swings to Labor.

Stephen Jones strongly consolidated the newly-named seat of Whitlam, perhaps not surprisingly after the Liberals scrambled for a new candidate after their initial candidate pulled out just weeks into the campaign.

Sharon Bird was returned in Cunningham although Liberal candidate Michelle Blicavs polled well as did Green candidate Cath Blakey.

Gilmore remains a tight contest between Liberal sitting member Ann Sudmalis and Labor candidate Fiona Phillips.

“A very strong result for Labor and a strong result in the traditionally held seats of Whitlam and Cunningham,’’ NSW Keira MP Ryan Park said.

“Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird both ran strong positive campaigns and what a result in Gilmore for Fiona Phillips.’’

Liberal NSW member for Kiama Gareth Ward remained “confident” Ann Sudmalis would retain Gilmore.

“It’s obvious the union campaign in Gilmore combined with Labor had a considerable impact but the claims about Medicare were not just a little white lie, they were a monolithic and habitual lie,’’ Mr Ward said.

While Mr Ward paid tribute to the performance of candidate Blicavs, Mr Park took aim at the Liberal Party for leaving some voting booths in the region unmanned on election day.

“The Liberals have to have a good hard look at themselves,’’ Mr Park said.

“They have State Liberal MPs and four Liberal councillors and then to treat an area like Cunningham like that is disgraceful. Liberal party members and supporters have a right to be annoyed with it.’’

Mr Ward perhaps best summed up the overall result: “After one of the most boring election campaigns in living memory, we’ve had one of the most fascinating results. It’s hung, drawn and not sorted.”