Category: Other

NSW Government To Light Up Sydney Opera House In Blue & White After Arab-Israeli Conflict Escalates

The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced the Sydney Opera House will light up in blue & white in support of Israel at 7:30pm tomorrow night after the Arab-Israeli Conflict escalated when Palestinian militant groups from the Gaza Strip broke through the Gaza-Israel barrier in a major surprise attack on Israel yesterday.

About 500 people have been killed in the conflict since the surprise attack yesterday.

Prior to this evening’s announcement from the NSW Government, the German Government also lit up the Brandenburg Gate with the Israeli flag. This sparked the Australian Opposition Leader this afternoon to lobby the Australian Government via X to illuminate Australia’s Parliament House & the Sydney Opera House:

In the NSW election campaign earlier this year, the Coalition (now in Opposition) promised to light up the Sydney Opera House in recognition of Israel’s 75th Anniversary of Independence.

The Arab-Israeli conflict began in 1948 when the Executive Head of the World Zionist Organisation and Chairman of the Jewish Agency For Palestine, David-Ben Gurion, declared the establishment of the State Of Israel just 8 hours before the British League Of Nations Mandate For Palestine expired, which was when the Declaration would take effect. Hours later, this was followed by an attack on Israel by Iraq, Egypt, Transjordan & Syria, thus beginning the still-continuing Arab-Israeli conflict.

After the Coronation Of Charles III in early May, NSW Premier, Chris Minns, in response to outrage from the lack of an Sydney Opera House illumination for that historic event, revealed a new policy of no new Sydney Opera House illuminations as a response to the marketing/political posturing over-usage of the World Heritage site’s illuminations while also revealing a Government review on Sydney Opera House illuminations is currently (& still) underway.

After significant pressure resulting from clinging to their new policy too tightly, the NSW Government lit up the Sydney Opera House green & gold for the Matildas on the night of a FIFA Women’s World Cup: Australia & New Zealand 2023 match, that they were participating in beyond the Group Stage, in late July/early-mid August.

On Monday, the Sydney Opera House will be lit in solidarity with the Jewish communities of New South Wales & those who may have family currently in Israel.

We are deeply concerned about the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel & those who have been kidnapped.

We will continue to work to ensure that we provide all support possible to those impacted across our state & are monitoring the situation closely to learn if any New South Wales citizens that are currently living in, on holidays or pilgrimage in the Middle East are impacted.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns

Opinion

It seems after a period of just under 4.5 months, political posturing has returned to the Sydney Opera House’s illuminations. This follows:

  • the Christchurch mosque shootings (2019)
  • the Sri Lanka Easter bombings (2019)
  • the Beirut explosion (2020),
  • Greece’s 200th Anniversary of Independence (2021),
  • Italy’s Republic Day (2021),
  • the ANZUS Treaty’s 70th Anniversary (2021),
  • the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022),
  • the assassination of Shinzo Abe (2022)
  • India’s 75th Anniversary of Independance (2022)
  • Indian Prime Minister Visit (late May 2023)

This upcoming illumination will not be considered a ‘Sydney Spectacular’ due to it being related to a conflict.

Opinion: Sydney’s Event Politicisation Has Turned Meta

That’s right – the politicisation of Sydney’s events since 2014 has turned political….

Since 2014, the NSW Government has focused on lighting up the Sydney Opera House & the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons for marketing using projection mapping technology: the Tottenham Hotspur visit, an NBC Today Show broadcast (with fireworks), the 1st ever Sydney Swans vs Western Sydney Giants Australian Football League Finals match, all culminating in the infamous Everest Barrier Draw projection show of October 2018, which was repeated in 2019 on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

After the Everest Barrier Draw fiasco, the Sydney Opera House wasn’t used for marketing anymore but instead, political posturing: the Christchurch mosque shootings, the Sri Lanka Easter bombings, the Beirut explosion, Greece’s 200th Anniversary of Independence, Italy’s Republic Day, the ANZUS Treaty’s 70th Anniversary, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the assassination of Shinzo Abe & India’s 75th Anniversary of Independance. Still, before the March state election, the NSW Coalition was promising to light it up for Israel’s 75th Anniversary Of Independence if it won it. The Federal Government also lit up the eastern Bennelong (smallest) sail & the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit in late May.

Last Wednesday, a Government Information (Public Access) request lodged by Liberal Chris Rath (Member Of Legislative Council) revealed a proposal to light up the Sydney Opera House just purple for the Coronation Of Charles III to cost around $30,000 and that the decision to cancel a more technically complicated planned projection of the King’s Cypher was “more political…from the Premier”, Chris Minns and not for “operational” or “conservation” reasons, according to public service e-mails.

Charles III Cypher
Image: Buckingham Palace

It was also revealed that the cancellation involved the return of only 50% of the deposit. However, the cost of the deposit has not been revealed.

Back in May, the New South Wales (NSW) Premier referred to a cost of around $90,000 for the more complicated proposal which was declined for financial reasons and for the additional reason that there were alternative commemorations already planned.

He also justified the proposal’s rejection because the Sydney Opera House is lit up approximately twice a week – too often for a World Heritage site. Sydney Spectaculars agrees with this reason especially as we could not even keep up with the number of illuminations of the Sydney Opera House!

On radio 2GB’s The Ben Fordham Show, last Wednesday morning, Shadow Attorney-General, Alastair Henskens, gave the bizarre hypothetical consequence of the cancellation being a lost of trade & jobs from Great Britain. Never mind that he forgot about Northern Ireland, if losing trade and jobs is a major reason to light up the Sydney Opera House, then we would have to light it up for when China chooses it’s next President as China is our biggest trading partner.

In Question Time that same day, the NSW Premier, Chris Minns, was asked on this topic:

How can the public trust anything he says?

Opposition Leader, Mark Speakman

He avoided directly answering the question.

Later that day, the Premier said the simpler purple illumination proposal was not presented to him. It has been implied in the e-mails that his rejection of the more technically complicated Cypher projection was also an outright rejection of any proposal, so the simple purple illumination proposal was decided to not be presented to the Premier by public servants.

While much has been made about the mention of the word “political” in connection with a pro-republican anti-monarchical attitude by the Premier, Sydney Spectaculars cannot find any direct evidence for this. It is more likely a result of his policy of less Sydney Opera House projections, for the reasons outlined above.

There was no historical precedent for a Sydney Opera House projection given that the last Coronation was in 1953, over half a century before projection mapping technology arrived and 2 decades before the Sydney Opera House was built. While the Premier did light up the Sydney Opera House for the Matildas’ qualification past the group stage to the 3rd place playoff of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 a few months later, this has been done before in similar circumstances.

In the end, the “political” decision was because of the politicisation of the Sydney Opera House projections since 2014. Sydney’s events are now metapolitical.

NSW ELECTION 2023 LIVE BLOG: CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

You can watch live coverage of the results of the NSW Election 2023 by Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation by clicking here or ‘Watch LIVE’ on the menu to the left.

This is a live blog of the NSW Election 2023 results. To see latest news, refresh the webpage. Here is a summary of the major news:

  • At 6pm AEDT, the polls closed.
  • At 6:20pm AEDT, the 1st counted votes came through.
  • At 7:06pm, the 1st results have come through from the NSW Premier’s district, Epping.
  • At 7:20pm, the 1st results for the Legislative Council have come through.
  • At 7:31pm, the NSW Premier is under 50% on 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 7:37pm, ‘we’ are calling the district of Kogarah for Chris Minns.
  • At 7:52pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government with the Coalition unable to form Government.
  • At 7:59pm, the NSW Premier went back just over 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:16pm, the NSW Premier went back just under 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:24pm, the NSW Premier was at 48% on 1`st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:42pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government.
  • At 8:46pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson reports Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his home.
  • At 8:56pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.
  • At 9:01pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.
  • At 9:44pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:48pm, Dominic Perrottet has arrived to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:51pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has begun his concession speech saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.
  • At 10:03pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party.
  • At 10:28pm, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, begins his victory speech saying “we will not let them down”.
  • At 10:58pm, ‘we’ called the Legislative Council to form for the next 4 years in favour of the left/progessive side of politics.
  • On Tuesday, the Minns Labor NSW Government was sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, after 3 Independent Members of Parliament-elect gave Labor confidence and supply, 1 MP-elect more than required at this stage.
  • 1 week after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Minority Government.
  • 2 weeks after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling Legislative Assembly districts, giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority.
  • 19 days after election night, the Liberal Party announce they will decide the next Opposition Leader on April 21.
  • 25 days after election night, the NSW Electoral Commission announced the finalised results with Labor winning the most districts in the Legislative Assembly – a minority of 45 districts – while no major party won a majority or clear lead in the Legislative Council. A now-divided crossbench has the balance of power in the Legislative Council.
  • 27 days after election night, the NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

27 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

The NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

The date of Australia Day will be dependent on Mark Speakman, though it is highly likely he will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

Sydney Spectaculars will contact the Opposition Leader for clarification of his policy.

25 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

NSW ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONFIRMS LABOR MINORITY IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, DIVIDED CROSSBENCH HOLDING BALANCE OF POWER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The NSW Electoral Commission finalised the election results today. The Legislative Assembly is as follows:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 9 districts

This confirms Labor will be a minority government. Therefore, they will definitely need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points.

The new half of the Legislative Council is as follows:

  • Labor – 8 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • Greens – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This makes the whole Legislative Council as follows:

  • Labor – 15 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • Greens – 4 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This means the crossbench (all parties except Labor & Coalition) will have the balance of power and will not favour one side of politics as earlier called by us. It is divided exactly 50-50.

19 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

LIBERAL PARTY TO DECIDE NEW OPPOSITION LEADER ON APRIL 21

The Liberal Party have announced they will decide the next Opposition Leader at a party room meeting on April 21. As always when the Coalition is in Opposition and The Liberal Party is larger than The Nationals in the Legislative Assembly, the Opposition Leader will also be the Leader of the Liberal-National Coalition and the Liberal Party. The date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

2 WEEKS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN FINISHES CALLING LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS, GIVING LABOR 45 DISTRICTS, 2 SHORT OF A MAJORITY

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling the Legislative Assembly districts giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority. Therefore, they will now need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. The final make-up of the Legislative Assembly, as called by Antony Green, is:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 8 districts

1 WEEK AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called the Labor-led Government will be a minority government, being at least 1 seat short. This means the date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties. While Labor is in Government, it cannot be as guaranteed the parliament will support their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. They will need the support of at least 1 member of the Legislative Assembly.

TUESDAY AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

MINNS LABOR NSW GOVERNMENT SWORN IN AFTER 3 ELECTED INDEPENDENTS GUARANTEE CONFIDENCE & SUPPLY

Last night, 3 elected Independent members of the Legislative Assembly gave Labor confidence and supply for a Government under them. This allowed Chris Minns as well as 4 other elected Labor Members Of Parliament to be sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, as the new Government in the position of Premier & Ministers respectively. The 3 Independents who gave confidence and supply are:

  • Alex Greenwich (District Of Sydney),
  • Greg Piper (District Of Lake Macquarie) and,
  • Joe McGirr (District Of Wagga Wagga).

Labor only currently needs 2 guarantees of confidence and supply to form a minority Government so they got, at least for now, an extra guarantee in case of a sudden change of mind. At the swearing-in ceremony, the following Labor members of Parliament(-elect) were made Ministers:

  • Prue Car (Deputy Premier & Education Minister) (District Of Londonderry),
  • Daniel Mookrey (Treasurer) (District Of NSW*),
  • Ryan Park (Health Minister) (District Of Keira),
  • Jo Haylen (Transport Minister) (District Of Summer Hill),
  • Penny Sharpe (Environment Minister) (District Of NSW*)

*Means in Legislative Council

11:08PM, ELECTION NIGHT:

LIVE BLOG NOW TO PROVIDE DAILY UPDATES AT 6PM AEDT FROM TUESDAY

We are now wrapping up our coverage of election night in New South Wales. We will now provide daily updates at 6pm from Monday as we wait for confirmation that Labor will get a majority government (Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, only said he was “confident” – not an outright call) but in the main news to arise out of election night results:

  • We have called the Legislative Council for the next 4 years to favour the left/progessive side of politics
  • NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, will stand down as Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader, leaving the Liberal policy of the Australia Day date as on January 26 open, though it very likely will be the same policy under the new Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader as they are a conservative party.
  • Chris Minns won his seat decisively, in the biggest swing to Labor in a district this election.
  • Labor will form the next NSW Government but whether it is a majority or minority government is still to be determined, coming down to 1 seat possibly.

Hope you enjoyed our live coverage of the NSW Election results in what will determine the fate of ticket prices of NSW Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points and the date of Australia Day for the next 4 years. Until 6pm AEDT Tuesday, thank you for following our coverage.

10:58PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CALLED (BY US)

At 36% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Labor – 9 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats

We are calling the new half of the Legislative Council for the above parties. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council may now look like:

  • Labor – 16 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

While, as expected, no party got a majority in the next 4-term of the Legislative Council, we expect it to be controlled by the left/progressive side of politics, consisting of Labor, The Green & Animal Justice, who make up 22 of the 42 seats or 52% of the next 4-year term of the Legislative Council.

10:28PM:

CHRIS MINNS: “WE WILL NOT LET THEM (NSW) DOWN”

To chants of “Minns!” & “Labor!” repeatedly, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has walked up to the podium, after struggling to get through the crowd supporting him, to make his victory speech after a passionate introduction by the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He says to NSW that “we will not let them down” and also thanks the Labor volunteers from his district of Kogarah, who helped him to victory in his marginal district.

10:03PM:

NSW PREMIER WILL STAND DOWN AS LIBERAL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY LEADER

The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party. This leaves open the question of the Liberal Party’s policy of keeping Australia Day on January 26 as Dominic Perrottet personally committed to another 4 years of January 26 as Australia Day. While the new Parliamentary Liberal Party Leader will have to clarify their position on the Australia Day date, it is very likely to be the same as Dominic’s position as their party is a conservative party.

9:51PM:

NSW PREMIER – CHRIS MINNS “TO BE A FINE 47TH PREMIER”

On the verge of tears and looking gutted while his faithful chant “Dom!” repeatedy, the NSW Premier begins his concession speech confirming his call to Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election while saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.

9:48PM:

NSW PREMIER ARRIVES TO MAKE CONCESSION SPEECH

NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has arrived to make his concession speech.

9:44PM:

NSW PREMIER “A COUPLE OF MINUTES” AWAY FROM ARRIVING TO MAKE HIS CONCESSION SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.

9:01PM:

NSW PREMIER CALLS OPPOSITION LEADER TO CONCEDE THE ELECTION

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.

8:56PM:

CHRIS MINNS ARRIVES TO MAKE HIS VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.

8:46PM:

CHRIS MINNS ON WAY TO VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his house on the way to make his victory speech.

8:42PM:

ANTONY GREEN SAYS HE IS “CONFIDENT” A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT WILL BE A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government. However, he says it still depends on the final makeup of seats won as it could come down to 1 seat’s difference.

8:27PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:24PM:

NSW PREMIER LOSING GROUND IN HIS DISTRICT

At 29% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted, dropping 1% on the last update we provided. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:19PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.6% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:16PM:

NSW PREMIER GOES BACK UNDER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 24% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 49% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:10PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.4% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 14 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:59PM:

NSW PREMIER BACK OVER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 14% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 51% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Things have improved for him nevertheless.

7:52PM:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government and that the Coalition is unable to form Government. However, he has not called whether Labor will form a majority or minority government.

7:45PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:37PM:

WE’RE CALLING THE DISTRICT OF KOGARAH FOR CHRIS MINNS

At 9% counted, the Opposition Leader and Labor Leader, Chris Minns, is leading on 57% of the vote. We believe he will hold onto the district, which was a marginal one. Last election, he won with 42% of 1st preferences so we are calling the district of Kogarah for Labor & Chris Minns so he he will be leading his party in some form in the next Parliament.

Important to note, Antony Green, Australia’s most famous psephologist has not called the district.

7:31PM:

NSW PREMIER UNDER 50% ON 1ST PREFERENCE IN HIS DISTRICT

At 5% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, being now under 50% on 1st preferences means he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote).

7:20PM:

FIRST RESULTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 0.02% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 9 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 17 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:06PM:

FIRST RESULTS FROM NSW PREMIER’S DISTRICT HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 1% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 57% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet.

6:20PM:

1ST COUNTED VOTES HAVE COME THROUGH

They are from the district of Clarence but as they are early figures, there are not enough to make a final judgement on that seat yet.

6PM:

POLLS HAVE CLOSED

The polls have closed everywhere in New South Wales. First results expected at 6:30pm AEDT.

Sydney Spectaculars Returns At The Stroke Of Midnight!

After an absence of 4 weeks, Sydney Spectaculars have decided to return to post major event news, just in time for the Midnight Fireworks of Sydney New Year’s Eve 2022!

COVID-19 case numbers have lowered sufficiently over the past week that we believe the public health of New South Wales is protected so if you’re in Sydney, head on down to the Harbour tomorrow and help Sydney New Year’s Eve reach back to an attendance of 1 million people in what is to be the biggest Sydney New Year’s Eve bash in 3 years!

This comes as New South Wales recorded 27,665 new cases in the past week (as of 30th December). The decrease in cases (currently 10,945 cases less per week) is accelerating.

The City of Sydney is working with New South Wales Health & Ambulance to ensure a COVID-19-safe event. Like last year, most of the Sydney Harbour foreshore is ticketed as a COVID-19 precaution.

Before heading to a vantage point to watch Calling Country and/or the Midnight Fireworks, Sydney NYE spectators are encouraged to support local businesses on the night as businesses are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full news coverage of Sydney NYE2022 on Sydney Spectaculars will not occur until the Midnight Fireworks begin. However, we will still be updating the Sydney NYE2022 webpage throughout the 31st of December and live coverage will be provided from our ‘Watch LIVE’ webpage from 6pm AEDT with the beginning of the radio broadcast with the visual broadcast beginning at 8:30pm AEDT!

If you cannot access this website, the official fireworks soundtrack radio broadcaster is KIIS 106.5 FM (from 6pm-12:30am AEDT) and the official television/concert radio broadcaster is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (from 8:30pm AEDT on television, 9:15pm AEDT on radio. Tune into 702AM if you’re down on the Harbour for the concert radio broadcast, which is synchronised to the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show. Both the concert radio & television broadcast conclude at 12:20am). For the vision impaired, ABC will audio describe Calling Country and The Midnight Fireworks on the ABC Listen app. The audio description may also be available on 2RPH.

Lastly, we have some exciting plans for the future to announce shortly including the unveiling of new flagship ‘Sydney Spectaculars‘!

Less than 24 hours until 2023!

‘Sydney Spectaculars’ Not Providing Event News Until COVID-19 Pandemic Eased Enough To Guarantee NSW Public Health

Sydney Spectaculars prides itself on providing information on Sydney’s major pyrotechnic, light, projection and air events that allow visitors from all around the world to see Sydney in it’s most spectacular form in a safe way.

Since, at the heart of what we do is promote major events, we believe it is in the best interest of the public health of New South Wales if we stop providing news on Sydney’s events until the COVID-19 pandemic has eased enough to guarantee New South Wales’s public health.

This comes as NSW recorded 37,796 new cases in the past week (as of 2nd December) in what is New South Wales’ 4th wave. New South Wales Health officials have stated they expect this wave to be short and peak a lot earlier than previous waves. The increase in cases (currently 6,265 cases extra per week) is slowing down.

Regarding Sydney New Year’s Eve 2022, the event has not been affected as of writing. The City of Sydney is working with New South Wales Health & Ambulance to ensure a COVID-19-safe event. Like last year, most of the Sydney Harbour foreshore is ticketed as a COVID-19 precaution. As businesses are still recovering from the pandemic, Sydney New Year’s Eve spectators are encouraged to support local businesses on the night before heading to a vantage point to watch Calling Country and/or the Midnight Fireworks.

If you cannot attend the event. the official fireworks soundtrack radio broadcaster is KIIS 106.5 FM (from 6pm AEDT) and the official television/concert radio broadcaster is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (from 8:30pm AEDT on television, 9:15pm AEDT on radio). For the vision impaired, ABC will audio describe Calling Country and The Midnight Fireworks on the ABC Listen app.

For the rest of the news from the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2022 media launch, please click here. For information on any COVID-19 cases arising from attendances at any Sydney Spectaculars and future Sydney Spectacular news, please refer to the mainstream media.

Sydney Spectaculars, in the meantime, will focus on researching the history of these events and we will still update the site, when the events are held, to provide the ever popular event videos and information & for Sydney New Year’s Eve, the fireworks soundtrack listings. The Sydney New Year’s Eve 2022 page will be created throughout December.

We will just not provide news updates.

We have some exciting plans for the future including the unveiling of another new ‘Sydney Spectacular‘ but these will not be revealed until the COVID-19 pandemic has eased enough so the public health of New South Wales is guaranteed.

To stress, we are not waiting until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide event news updates. We are waiting until we believe the public health of New South Wales is protected enough from COVID-19. Then we will provide event news updates again.

Until next time…

Sydney Harbour Icons With LEGO® Bricks

Sydney Living Museums presents Sydney Harbour Icons With LEGO® Bricks, a world-première exhibition at the Museum Of Sydney from 7 November 2015 that brings to life the spectacle of Sydney Harbour in colourful LEGO.

Australia’s only certified LEGO® professional, Ryan McNaught, has recreated Sydney Harbour’s most iconic & visionary structures, as well as some of its most famous moments, in a series of playful LEGO® installations incorporating world-first fireworks, lights, movement & almost 1000 minifigs.

Visitors will see a flotilla of harbour watercraft including Sydney To Hobart maxi yachts, a tug boat, ocean liner & the Endeavour tall ship as well as a cross-section through the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Across the Harbour will be the joyously grinning face of Luna Park, the waterfront amusement park where generations of Sydneysiders have been thrilled & enchanted, along with the park’s Ferris Wheel, Wild Mouse roller coaster & Crystal Palace.

Central to the exhibition will be a giant model of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, made from over 130,000 LEGO® bricks & complete with traffic, pedestrians, criss-crossing commuter trains & the Harbour Tunnel underneath. Suspended above the exhibition will be a trio of exploding LEGO® fireworks.

Visitors to the exhibition will have fun exploring the intricate detail within Ryan’s LEGO® creations; discover minifigs at the opera, on a cruise, having fun at Luna Park & climbing the Harbour Bridge. Perhaps even spot a Sydney celebrity or two amongst the sea of bricks.

“Sydney Harbour Icons With LEGO® Bricks recreates the magic of our world-famous harbour in a creative & playful way. Visitors will marvel at the charming level of detail featured in each of the LEGO® structures, which are just as eye-catching as the real-life versions” said Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Assistant Director, Creative Services at Sydney Living Museums.

The exhibition will also take visitors behind the scenes, exploring the techniques & tricks used by Ryan McNaught in creating his vivid & imaginative models, as well as interviews filmed on board & on top of these spectacular Sydney Harbour icons.

Best of all, visitors will be able to put their own LEGO® skills to the test. The exhibition will be brimming with over 500,000 loose LEGO® & DUPLO® bricks for visitors of all ages to assemble, share & display their own inspired creations. See if you can match the playfulness & wit of Ryan McNaught or perhaps even add your own Harbour icon to the display.

Sydney Harbour Icons With LEGO® Bricks is the 2nd exhibition developed by Sydney Living Museums with LEGO® professional Ryan McNaught & follows the highly successful Towers Of Tomorrow With LEGO® Bricks which drew record crowds to the Museum Of Sydney earlier this year.

“I was thrilled to work with Sydney Living Museums again on this latest exhibition, recreating some of Sydney Harbour’s much-loved landmarks. It’s been challenging but terrific fun to build these LEGO® models, bringing them to life with interactive elements & an array of colourful minifigs” said Ryan McNaught.

  • EXHIBITION: Sydney Harbour Icons With LEGO® Bricks
  • DATE: 7 November 2015 – 31 July 2016
  • VENUE: Museum Of Sydney, Corner of Phillip & Bridge Streets, Sydney
  • TICKETS: $15 adult, $15 child, $45 family (4 people), children 3 & under free
  • BOOKINGS: Online at slm.is/harbouricons or phone 1300 448 849

Media Release: Sydney Living Museums

Customs House Transformed Into A Bright ‘Twilight Garden’

Customs House will be shining both inside and out this month with animated projections, illuminated sculptures and a Twilight Garden light-art installation.

SuperLux (Smart Light Cities), a major new exhibition exploring sustainable lighting, until 17 October, will feature the work of some of the world’s leading artists working in the ‘smart light’ field.

Yas Marina Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said smart lighting was about more than just reducing your carbon footprint and saving on energy bills.

“The growth of smart lighting as a creative field has really changed the role of light in our cities at night, inspiring us to think differently about how we illuminate public spaces,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This SuperLux show will transform Customs House, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and encouraging us to use our limited resources sustainably.”

‘Miroir de Mer (Sea Mirror)’ by Yann Kersale 1 Central Park Sydney (Medium)

SuperLux co-curator Mike Day, creative lighting director of the BEAMS arts festival and a lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney’s School Of Design, said one highlight of the show will be the Twilight Garden.

“Designed by artist Mary-Anne Kyriakou, the work is reminiscent of a Persian garden and sits on a black reflective pond with a dozen 1.5-metre tall columns growing out of it that are covered in lighting, featuring plants and human bone forms,” Mr Day said.

“I’ll also be lighting the Customs House façade with warm lighting to showcase its beautiful sandstone, and inside I’ll be bringing the miniature model of Sydney to life with little laser dots that will make it appear that there are hordes of people scurrying about.”

“The ground floor models’ George Street will also be glowing with white light to showcase its importance as the main street of Sydney.”

Roca Barcelona Gallery

The show is inspired by the new book, SuperLux: Smart Light Art, Design And Architecture For Cities, edited by Davina Jackson and published by Thames & Hudson.

The exhibition will feature images from the book, as well as installations, video and projections by a range of artists working in the smart light field.

SuperLux Four Shore

Other works created specifically for Customs House include Damian Gascoigne’s Four Shore, a mysterious movie projection with sound that creates a series of natural elements that appear to grow up the building’s spiral staircase.

Galaxia 3, by Alan Rose, will illuminate the laneway behind Customs House with colour and tricks of light.

SuperLux (Smart Light Cities) Exhibition
Until 17 October 2015
Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

For more information, visit http://superlux.org/superlux-exhibition/ (dead link)

Media Release: City Of Sydney