The retirement of former member Tony Windsor left the field wide open, with many expecting the National Party to fill the void, firstly in the form of Richard Torbay ahead of his fall from grace, and then by Mr Joyce, a former Queensland senator. 

Runner-up was Independent Rob Taber with 14.26 per cent of the vote, followed by Country Labor’s Stephen Hewett (11.72 per cent), Independent Jamie McIntyre (6.77 per cent), Palmer United Party’s Phillip Girle (5.19 per cent), the Greens’ Pat Schultz (4.3 per cent), One Nation’s Brian Dettmann (1.67 per cent), Christian Democratic Party’s Aaron Evans (1.62 per cent) and Citizens Electoral Council’s Richard Witten (0.38 per cent).

Of the 102,115 enrolled voters in the electorate, 4834 or 5.62 per cent voted informally. 

Mr McIntyre fared better in his home town, attracting around 20 of first preferences from those voting at Glen Innes polling stations.

The Nationals duty senator for New England John William, who was re-elected to his senator position on Saturday, has offered his congratulations to Mr Joyce.

Senator Williams said Mr Joyce had taken a massive gamble earlier this year when he took the decision to contest the Nationals pre-selection rather than remain in the senate.

Mr Williams said from the moment he was pre-selected, Mr Joyce began a tireless campaign to prove he was serious about representing the area where he was born and grew up, travelling to all parts of the electorate and holding community forums in large towns and small villages.

“The people of New England have shown their faith in Mr Joyce and the Coalition, and it is now up to the new Abbott-Truss government to repay that faith,” Mr Williams said.

“It will be hard work but we will roll up our sleeves and start rebuilding confidence. I look forward to getting on with the job.”