NSW election: crossbench to push Labor on gambling reform as hopes of majority government fade

New South Wales Labor will come under pressure to go further on gambling reform than a modest trial of the cashless gaming card, with several crossbench MPs prioritising the issue as part of their support for a minority government.

Five days after polls closed in the state, and with a new interim government sworn in to power, Labor still needs two additional seats to reach the 47 needed to govern in its own right.

The path to reaching that number has narrowed, with the ABC calling the seat of Kiama for the former Coalition minister turned independent Gareth Ward. Labor also failed to pick up the seat of Miranda, where the former Coalition minister Eleni Petinos is expected to hang on despite a shock swing of more than 12% against her.

But the party has not given up hopes of picking up the two extra seats needed for a majority. It still has the lead in the north-western Sydney seat of Ryde, where it is 235 votes ahead and is sweating on the split of the remaining postal and absentee votes.

There are likely to be 12 MPs on the crossbench (nine independents and three Greens).

While in theory Labor will probably need one or two votes to pass legislation, in practice it is likely to face a more formidable negotiation task.

The crossbench is expected to work together, with expectations that Labor will entertain its legislative ambitions rather than just engage in piecemeal horse-trading.

The Sydney MP was instrumental in legalising voluntary assisted dying and decriminalising abortion in the last parliament and has demonstrated that, even with majority government, independents can achieve outcomes.

There are some common themes among the independents: gambling reform, including advertising of betting services; reforms to the planning system to ensure consideration of climate change impacts; prohibitions on conversion practices and other LGBTQ+ issues; reforms to land clearing; expanding koala protections; and other environmental reforms.

On gambling, Greenwich said he would call on Minns to expand his cashless gaming trial beyond 500 machines.

Dalton was targeted during the election campaign by ClubsNSW over her support of cashless gaming.

Television ads are a federal issue but other promotional material and placement of gaming machines is regulated by states.

Independents will also push for a climate impact statement to be included as part of the assessment for every new and expanded coal and gas project, and create a requirement for decision-makers to properly consider and work to minimise the climate impacts of all projects.

Speakman, who is yet to announce whether he will run for the position, is the favourite to win against two potential challengers from the right in former ministers Anthony Roberts and Alister Henskens.