Member for Orange Phil Donato said the size of his win in Saturday's state election was bigger than he had hoped for.
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Mr Donato, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers party candidate, won 49.99 per cent of the vote, twice as much as what he received to win the Orange byelection in 2016.
"I was being realistic and being a bit conservative. To basically double that in two years, it exceeded my expectations," he said.
VIDEO: Mr Donato speaking to his supporters on Saturday night ...
Mr Donato said he was ready to hold the government to account for the next four years.
"Not much changes, it will be continuing what we're doing," he said.
Mr Donato said palliative care, flood-proofing the Newell Highway and constructing a heavy-vehicle bypass around Parkes were among his initial goals.
"I want to see palliative care as a permanent facility in our town, not just a trial," he said.
He said obtaining the 12-month trial for palliative care, winning extra police for Orange and getting the Orange hospital car park extended were among the best achievements in his first term.
The palliative care facility at Uniting Parkwood in Prince Street, Orange is due to open this week.
And Mr Donato is expected to be in a better position of strength as his party looks to have added two more members in the lower house with wins in the western NSW seat of Barwon and the southern seat of Murray.
"Obviously three is better than one. It is going to be interesting to see what the final make-up of the parliament will be," he said.
VIDEO: Mr Donato speaking after his election win ...
Mr Donato said hard work during his first term was a key reason for his victory.
"I've tried to maximise my time in the community, attending the opening of everything we can," he said.
"I've been accessible and available," he said.
"I think it sends a strong message to the government and the National Party really that you don't need to be a member of the government to get the support of the community. You need to get out there and listen and work your butt off to get great outcomes for them," he said.
"Certainly, it sends a message that regional NSW has been screaming out for a conservative alternative.
"For too long the Nationals have held these seats and with time comes complacency and we've seen that in western NSW."
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
