NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has shouldered the blame for the historic swing against her government in the Wagga Wagga by-election adding a "perfect storm" of political upheaval snatched the seat away after six decades.
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Counting from Saturday's by-election is continuing but a projected swing of about 29 per cent against the government is tipped to push independent Joe McGirr into power.
It could take days for preferences to clearly name the winner but candidate Julia Ham will not hold the seat for the Liberal party, Ms Berejiklian acknowledged on Sunday morning.
The people of Wagga Wagga, she said, had sent the government a "strong message" - they are sick of political infighting, instability and navel-gazing.
"They're angry and disappointed with politicians talking amongst themselves and not focusing on the community, and they also want me and my government to make sure we don't take them and their community for granted," she told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
"I've heard that message loudly and clearly."
The scandal that toppled Liberal member Daryl Maguire and triggered the by-election along with the federal leadership spill which saw another sitting prime minister knifed were both factors in the resounding loss of support, Ms Berejiklian acknowledged.
"(Voters) expect the highest level of integrity from all members of parliament, and there's no doubt the actions of the former member led to a lot of anger and disappointment," she said.
"But, of course, so did the later instability at other levels of government.
"The timing of the by-election, which coincided with other major events, other major political events, could not have been foreseen.
"It was the perfect storm."
Ms Berejiklian said she had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison early on Sunday and both leaders were "clear" they had to govern and take the focus off political sniping and turmoil.
She declined to blame the federal branch of her party for the loss in Wagga directly.
However, she acknowledged, it will make her government's prospects in March's general election more difficult.
She assured voters the government would "work our guts out" to regain the trust of the community.
Mr McGirr said he will not join the coalition if elected but will remain independent.
Australian Associated Press
