The rise of the Libertarians: ‘fringe’ party could win 15 NSW council seats after Liberals’ bungle

Minor party could be largest group on MidCoast council and state MP John Ruddick says if you put in a development [application] we will approve it'

The Libertarian party could have up to 15 councillors across New South Wales and take control of a major regional council following the Liberal party's failure to nominate more than 100 candidates for the weekend's local government elections.

The NSW Liberal leader, Mark Speakman, said on Sunday his party had performed strongly" where it had fielded candidates - despite 16 council areas either having no Liberal candidates or fewer than they were meant to.