It's third time lucky for Helen Dalton, finally taking the hotly contested seat of Murray out from underneath the National Party in one of the most "grueling" campaigns seen across NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The win was called on Saturday night with over 60 per cent of votes counted, placing Mrs Dalton at 55.2 per cent and incumbent National's member Austin Evans at 44.8 per cent.
And voters of Murray are expecting great things from their newest member, with the promise of a brand new Griffith Base Hospital in "two years, not 10", upgrades for Deniliquin hospital and increased health services across the electorate.
She will also fight for a five-year pause of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and demand a federal royal commission into it to "to expose corruption and mismanagement".
Mrs Dalton's win marks the end of the National party's traditional stronghold on the region which has lasted decades.
She was almost successful in breaking in the 2017 byelection with a 19 per cent swing to the Shooters, and also ran as an independent in 2015.
Mrs Dalton has vowed to put an end to what she calls "the boys club" in Griffith.
"The National Party have held an iron grip on the electorate, and formed a strong bond with Griffith City Council's mayor and senior management," she wrote.
"There's been scandal, corruption and media gags, but the real crime is how this cosy club have held this wonderful, vibrant town back."
The election saw mud-slinging from both sides. Mrs Dalton fought against a "smear campaign" from One Nation and the National's who claimed her allegiance with Labor.
RELATED
"I've spent my whole life fighting against Labor water policies. I would never do a deal with Labor," Mrs Dalton said at the time.
With Labor failing to take key seats around the state despite an anticipated neck-and-neck race the Coalition government, with premier Gladys Berejiklian at the helm, has been reelected for a third term.
Mrs Dalton says she will work with the crossbench and not with Labor or the Nationals.
The newest member for Murray was recovering on Sunday, but did say she was "very excited".
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.
