Betts reflects on campaign

“I always said going into this I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and that has definitely been the case,” she said.

“I have maintained my honesty and integrity and made some wonderful friends in the process.”

Ms Betts said she had no doubt Mrs Dalton would do her absolute best to secure funding for the region, in particular a new hospital in Deniliquin.

However, she expressed concerns about the new Labor government.

“It will have a massive impact on the seat of Murray, noting the Labor leader openly stated he has no knowledge of the regions,” she said.

Voters deserted Ms Betts and The Nationals with a primary vote nearly nine per cent lower than 2019.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mrs Dalton leads 65.47 per cent to 34.53 per cent.