Senior NSW government figures say local issues played a bigger role than the pandemic response in swinging votes away from it at four by-elections over the weekend, as Labor looks to pick-up an additional seat.
The results won't be finalised for weeks but it looks like Labor has retained the Sydney seat of Strathfield and won the South Coast seat of Bega from the Liberals.
Premier Dominic Perrottet says he isn't fazed by the prospect and won't be doing deals with the independents and minor party MPs despite his government being pushed further into minority.
