A trip up the Newell Highway to say thank you to volunteers who flew The Nationals flag at the polling booths was the first thing on Michael McCormack's to-do list after re-election.
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Mr McCormack claimed the federal seat of Riverina shortly after 9.30pm Saturday.
Sunday lunchtime he was at Forbes' Apex Park for a thank you barbecue with Forbes and Parkes National Party volunteers.
When asked about priorities for his fourth term in parliament, he said the first task was to say thanks to the volunteers who had been standing out at early voting booths - many of whom have supported the party for years.
"I couldn't do this without such a dedicated band of volunteers and also the support of my family: my wife Catherine came with me on the campaign trail and she was amazing," Mr McCormack said.
"My three children, Georgina, Alexander and Nicholas, all handed out at pre-poll, they were all there (Saturday) for me."
The Nationals claimed 60.18 per cent of first-preference votes in Riverina. Labor's Mark Jeff Jeffreson received 23.3 per cent; United Australia Party's Richard Foley 10.64 and The Greens' Michael Bayles 5.90.
"I want to congratulate Michael Bayles from the Greens, Mark Jeffreson from the Labor Party and Richard Foley from the United Australia Party," Mr McCormack said.
"They ran a respectful campaign, they ran a solid campaign and they put their hands up for public office ... I wish them well."
Mr McCormack says he's excited about the future as the Coalition forms government.
He said his roles as leader of The Nationals and Minister for Infrastructure,Transport and Regional Development might take him out of his electorate, but gave him a seat "around the cabinet table when decisions are being made that really affect regional people.
"I can have influences and outcomes that I would not be able to if I was not in government and if I was not around that ministry table," he said.
Forbes' main street upgrade is one of the local projects that has attracted federal funding - $870,000 for the CBD Masterplan roll-out.
"I look forward to seeing it start, with local contractors used," McCormack said.
Just two days out from the election Mr McCormack visited Parkes to announce up to $100 million for the Newell Highway bypass that will take trucks around the town.
The Nationals' Andrew Gee has also been returned to his federal seat of Calare, which covers some of our Eugowra readers.
