Although about 20 per cent of the vote is yet to be counted, Mr Coulton said it was very humbling to be returned to office with a 10 per cent swing in his favour and almost 70 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.

Mr Coulton thanked the people of Parkes for showing faith in him and giving him the opportunity to represent them for another three years.

“It is a great honour to represent this wonderful electorate and I look forward to continuing to provide the best possible representation to every one of my constituents,” he said.

Labor’s Andrew Brooks earned more than 16,700 votes and suffered only a 3.8 per cent swing.

Independent Mick Colless received less than 3000 votes - the lowest of all the candidates, while fellow Independent John Clements received just over 8000.

Mr Clements said that minimal funding, a short campaign period and a focus on negative national issues had taken the emphasis off local issues.

He added that he would continue to play a role as an advocate, pushing the local issues of the Parkes electorate.

He said he was confident that his fellow independents and supporters, Bob Katter MP for Kennedy and Tony Windsor MP for New England would have the long-term future of regional Australia in mind as they entered into negotiations with the major party leaders this week.

The Greens candidate Matt Parmeter was very pleased with the result.

“In Parkes, the Greens vote increased by more than 50 per cent, which is a tremendous lift since the last election,” said Mr Parmeter. “I congratulate Mark Coulton on his victory … and I offer my commiserations to the other candidates, Andrew, John and Mick,” he concluded.