A return to national issues helped the Liberal Party reclaim its blue-ribbon seat of Wentworth, according to Dave Sharma who has claimed victory over independent Kerryn Phelps.
The race for the high profile Sydney seat had been neck and neck since Saturday night but Mr Sharma officially claimed the win on Monday afternoon after outgoing independent MP Kerryn Phelps conceded.
Mr Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, described the result as "very satisfying" after he lost to Dr Phelps in the October 2018 by-election called after ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull quit.
"It's been a long continuous campaign for seven months for me," he told reporters in Sydney.
Mr Sharma said there was a lot of "anger and protest" during the by-election but Wentworth voters were more focused on national issues during the federal election.
"I was helped by the tailwind of a strong national campaign," he said on Monday.
Mr Sharma had 51.7 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis to Dr Phelps's 48.3 per cent with 77 per cent of the ballots counted.
The newly-minted MP doesn't expect a ministerial role in the new Morrison government but instead plans to focus on delivering for the people of Wentworth.
He thanked Dr Phelps for her seven-month contribution in Canberra.
Dr Phelps was flanked by a group of "purple army" campaign volunteers when she conceded defeat and thanked her wife and family for supporting her.
"There's no way I could have done anything I did in parliament or for the electorate without their undying support," she told reporters in Sydney.
During her time in federal parliament, Dr Phelps fought to get refugees off Manus Island and Nauru, and also advocated for stronger action to tackle climate change.
"I operated in Canberra with conviction, with integrity and a belief that individuals can impact on the political conversation," she said.
"The one thing the past seven months have shown is that one voice can make a difference."
Dr Phelps described her by-election win as "almost a miracle" and insisted there was still an appetite for independent thinking in Wentworth.
But, she said, voters were conflicted.
"They were appreciative of the work I had done but didn't want a Labor government," the 61-year-old said.
"Clearly the country decided it wanted to return a Liberal government and I suspect that had something to do with it."
Dr Phelps wouldn't be drawn on her future in politics instead saying she would now focus on catching up with family and friends.
She kept her place on Sydney City Council after winning the by-election and has also continued working at her Double Bay GP practice.
She congratulated Mr Sharma on his win as did Mr Turnbull who held the seat for 14 years.
"Congratulations Dave Sharma on winning Wentworth - the best part of the best country in the world! Good luck in the years ahead. And thank you Kerryn Phelps for the great courage and character you showed as our MP," the former prime minister tweeted.
Australian Associated Press
