Greens achieve best result ever in NSW

While the votes are still being counted in Newcastle, it is clear that Novocastrian voters have voted for the Greens in the Upper House at more than twice the State average.

Greens MP and lead Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon said this election achieved the best ever result for the Greens in NSW, with increases in both houses.

"With two Upper House Greens MPs elected we have brought our numbers to four and are set to play a pivotal role in the balance of power," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens vote is expected to be around 9 percent in both houses, taking into account our traditionally strong absentee and upper house below the line vote.

"In Marrickville we recorded the highest primary Greens vote in any general election in Australia ever, at 33 percent and in Balmain we gained 30% of the vote.

"In these inner city heartland seats the Greens are continuing to erode Labor's traditionally strong hold.

"Our preferences were crucial in determining the outcome in Lake Macquarie, helping an independent beat Labor.

"With Labor outspending the Greens by twenty to one, we have achieved an outstanding result.

"We polled over 30% in two seats (Marrickville and Balmain), in three we polled over 20% (Coogee, Ballina and Peter Debnam's seat of Vaucluse) and in 10 or so we recorded over 15 percent.

"The Greens identified this as Australia's first climate change election.

"In the next parliament our four MPs will place the coal industry centre stage in the climate change debate and put pressure on Labor to end its culture of secrecy.

"The Greens vote has been boosted by the hard work of thousands of members and supporters working across all 93 seats in NSW.

"Our vote is particularly outstanding considering it was achieved without the massive donations flowing into the campaign chests of the major parties," Ms Rhiannon said.