VOTERS across the Parkes electorate have given Mark Coulton a huge tick of approval and re-elected him to serve a fifth term in the federal parliament.
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After five consecutive election wins, Mr Coulton now equals former MP Michael Cobb as the most electorally successful representative for the seat of Parkes since it was established in 1984.
READ MORE: How Parkes decided, our election day blog
Labor candidate Jack Ayoub called Mr Coulton shortly before 9pm to concede defeat. As at 10pm Saturday, Mr Coulton had secured 67 per cent of the two candidate proffered vote, while his main rival Mr Ayoub had secured only 33 per cent of the vote.
In an acceptance speech to supporters in Dubbo, Mr Coulton said the result was wonderful and credited volunteers and National Party members for helping him win.
"One of the reasons we have this result is because when the people ring the Parkes electorate office they get help," he said.
"Just today, I ran into a chap over at the Christian School and he said 'I'm voting for you because of that help you gave me' and I had to ask him to remind me.
"It was eight years ago when I helped him after the company he worked for went in to liquidation and we helped him to get his entitlement."
Mr Coulton thanked his family and paid tribute to his wife Robyn for going above and beyond to support him.
"Robyn is wonderfully perceptive, incredibly hard working and has really been the driving force that allows me to do the job I do.
READ ALSO: What happens if you didn't vote
"This campaign has been incredibly uplifting, I've just been invigorated by the support, the encouragement and I've developed a deep respect for the people I represent because they thought about their decision.
"We saw people that were focusing on national issues and understanding that a federal election is about the direction of the country and the well-being of everyone."
Mr Coulton said the federal government could be re-elected and thanked colleagues for their support.
"Michael McCormack has absolutely criss-crossed this country at a level I've never seen before," he said.
"This is a great team effort.
"Over the last six years I think we've done a pretty good job of turning our economy around. I think the future looks incredibly bright.
"Obviously the drought is a cloud that's hanging over us and we desperately need that break to try and get our country moving again.
"I'm incredibly proud to have served this electorate now for nearly 12 years and I can tell you I have the energy and excitement and passion for the next three years."
