A “mini-cabinet” with three members of the Greek community will be included in all likelihood in the new Labor government elected in NSW.
The three (till yesterday) shadow ministers, Sophie Cotsis, Steve Kamper (Σταύρος Καμπερογιάννης), and Courtney Houssos, who all secured their re-election, are almost certain to be appointed as ministers by the premier-elect Chris Minns.
A fourth representative from our community is expected to be Eleni Petinos from the Liberal party who, as of the latest count of votes, was still battling it out with the Labor challenger for the district of Miranda Simon Earle.
It is certainly the dawn of a new era for Ms Cotsis, Mr Kamper and Ms Houssos who look set to hold ministerial portfolios after many years in the opposition benches.
Sophie Cotsis was elected in the seat of Canterbury for a third term with nearly 75 per cent of the vote after preferences with 52 per cent of votes counted.
Ms Cotsis was shadow minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety and has expressed interest to serve in these portfolios as minister.
Ms Cotsis first won her seat in the November 2016 by-election. Prior to this, she was a member of the Upper House from September 2010.
“It’s absolutely incredible. After 12 years of being in the wilderness, we are about to take government. In NSW, democracy has spoken. The time of the previous Coalition government has expired,” Ms Cotsis told Neos Kosmos on election night.
“The people made their decision that it was time for a new government. It was time for a fresh start. I’m very pleased with my result locally. I’m very excited. We got a swing to us which is great. It shows our amazing work,” Ms Cotsis said.
“I’m very proud that we will have Canterbury Hospital rebuilt which is something we have been campaigning on for a long time. Congratulations to the new premier, Chris Minns.”
Steve Kamper, similarly, held onto his seat of Rockdale comfortably with 65 per cent of the vote after preferences, with nearly 67 per cent of all votes tallied, securing a third term. Mr Kamper was shadow minister for Small Business, Property and Multiculturalism and most likely will retain these roles as a minister.
Mr Kamper was first elected in 2015. He is regarded as a close friend of the new premier, Mr Minns, whom he supported strongly to become leader of NSW ALP.
Courtney Houssos has sealed a second eight-year term as member of the Legislate Council (Upper House). She was first elected in 2015 and in yesterday’s elections, she was number one on Labor’s ballot.
As a shadow minister, Ms Houssos was Sresponsible for Natural Resources and Better Regulation and Innovation. It remains to be seen if the premier-elect allocates to her the same portfolio.
Ms Houssos is married to Greek-Australian George Houssos who is also a known Labor identity.
Eleni Petinos is still in the race to hold onto her seat of Miranda by a thread, despite a huge negative swing of more than 14 per cent. She has just under 50 per cent of the votes after preferences with 52 per cent of the ballots counted.
Ms Petinos was previously Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading but had been removed from her role last August following allegations of bullying in her ministry.
If she does retain the seat it’ll be her first term as part of the opposition, having gained her seat in 2015 in the middle of the Coalition’s 12-year run as leaders of the state.
Apart from the above four, there were at least another four Greek-Australian candidates at yesterday’s elections with various parties who failed to be elected.