The Kiama by-election this weekend is drawing attention across New South Wales, not just as a contest for a single seat but as a potential barometer of broader political sentiment and the major party leaders.

For Premier Chris Minns, the pragmatist at the helm of a relatively fresh Labor government, it is a test — though he admits he is unsure what exactly it measures.

"I don't know what kind of test it is, but it is a test," Mr Minns said this week.

"We're in it for the community's support but we accept their judgement … they've got to make this decision, not us."

Susan Brown, who cast her pre-poll vote in Kiama earlier this week, described it as a gauge of government performance and Mr Minns's leadership.

"He's a premier that tends to look at things and so he will see how people hav

See Full Page