NSW election: slim rightwing majority in upper house is under threat, polls suggest

The Legislative Council, which is finely balanced between left and right, will be critical to the direction of the state in next four years

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The election for the New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, will be critical to the direction of the state for the next four years. The proportional house gives space for minor parties to win representation and is finely balanced between left and right.

The council consists of 42 members: 21 are elected every four years for an eight-year term. The house is elected proportionally with all members representing the whole state. This means the seat results closely mirror the vote results. A party gets one seat for every 4.5% of the vote they poll, with the remaining votes and preference flows deciding the last few seats.

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