Penrith polls close, Libs tipped to win

(AAP) - The NSW opposition has almost certainly won the Penrith by-election, with early counting showing swings of 15 to 20 per cent being recorded in some booths.

Liberal candidate Stuart Ayers has long been expected to beat Labor rival John
Thain, with the size of the win the only thing in doubt.
Early figures from the tally room show swings of up to 20 per cent in some booths -
higher than the 9.2 per cent margin Labor holds on the seat, but below the gloomier
30 per cent swings predicted by some.
The by-election in the western Sydney seat was caused by the resignation of former
Labor MP Karyn Paluzzano, who quit amid allegations she had rorted public money and
lied about it to the corruption watchdog.
If the voting trend continues, it will be only the second time the Liberals have won
Penrith in its 37 year history.