Barnaby Joyce re-elected for the third time in four years

As of Saturday night, the incumbent Nationals MP had attracted more than 27,000 first preferences, or 53 per cent of the vote - well ahead of the second placed independent Adam Blakester, with 8000 votes (15.84 per cent).

Labor candidate Yvonne Langenberg came in at third about 13 per cent of the vote.

Mr Joyce, who is set for a third term as the local member, thanked his supporters and his volunteers.

"We had a serious campaign against us, but so many people dug in fought hard, and I reckon we're going to win this on first preferences," Barnaby Joyce said, surrounded by the party faithful.

"I am really humbled I was given the opportunity to represent them again.

"Obviously it's about where we were at the last federal election, once the pre-poll comes in there will be a slight swing to us."

READ ALSO

Mr Joyce is no stranger to controversy, from his personal life to the recent 'Watergate' scandal, however it appears to have made little difference in the polls.

"There is a lot of raa-raa at a national level, but to the New England itself, it's about service," Mr Joyce said.

"People think a lot of it is over egged. It's not a New England issue.

"I think people are really forgiving, they say "Are you working hard? Are you doing the job?". Those little things matter.

"That's what we do and it's a credit to my office. No individual has ever won an election, a team wins an election."

Want to have your say? Click here to write a letter to the editor

Mr Joyce admitted he had his doubts throughout the campaign, and was relieved with the resounding victory.

"Right up until those polls started coming in, I wasn't thinking it was in the bag by a long shot," he said.

"I am tired after that campaign. I'm emotionally tired and I want to suck in a few deep breaths."

Mr Joyce said he'd take a few days off before "getting back to work".

"I'll go do some fencing, go through my sheep and get in to a head space where I just switch off, and get rid of the hoopla," he said.

"Then I'm fresh. Close that chapter and I'm ready to get in to it again."

There are still more than 50,000 votes to be counted, but as of Saturday night, the United Australia Party candidate Cindy Duncan was coming fourth with 4.62 per cent, followed by the Greens' Tony Lonergan 4.49 per cent.

Next were the two independents in Rob Taber (3.28 per cent) and Natasha Ledger (3.04 per cent).

Last was the Christian Democrats' candidate Julie Collins with 2.38 per cent.