NSW election: Labor hopeful of win as leader Chris Minns eyes ‘mood for change’ across state

Polls point to victory but Labor faces a difficult electoral map, requiring an additional nine seats to govern in its own right

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The New South Wales Labor party believes it will end its 12-year stint in the electoral wilderness on Saturday, pinning its hopes on the 43-year-old former firefighter and political staffer Chris Minns to return it to government after a gruelling three-month campaign.

But while the polls have consistently pointed to a Labor victory, the party still faces a daunting electoral map: it must pick up nine seats to govern in its own right, meaning a uniform swing of about 6.5% is required.

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