DEPUTY Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has retained his seat of New England, fighting off a strong challenge from Tony Windsor.
Mr Joyce was last night sitting on a primary vote of 51.23 per cent with more than half of the vote counted.
He beat the former independent MP for the tightly contested northern NSW seat after a bitterly fought campaign.
Earlier, Mr Joyce was confident he would win, saying the sentiment towards him was strong in pre-poll booths around the electorate."In the seat of New England the bookies are right - the Nationals will hold," he said.