Mr Evans spoke to the media at 12:30 today, but will wait until the counting of postal votes before claiming victory. 

Some 72.4 per cent  of the vote has now been counted, with Austin Evans winning 40.5 per cent of the vote.

Helen Dalton of Shooters, Fishers and Farmers has won 31.4 per cent. 

Country Labor’s Michael Kidd won 21.0 per cent of the vote. 

On a two-party preferred basis, the Nationals lead 53.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent, up slightly from last night.

Mr Evans won the vast majority of polling booths across Griffith and the MIA. 

Ms Dalton  captured a higher share of the vote in polling booths in  Beelbangera, Goolgowi, Lake Wyangan Public, Yenda and Murrumbidgee Council Chamber. She also comfortably won Deniliquin. 

The seat-wide swing against the Nationals is now at 19.2 per cent.

Australia’s premier election expert, the ABC’s Antony Green, has projected the Nationals will win the seat. 

The Nationals Steph Cook retained the seat of Cootamundra, by a more comfortable margin.

The Murray by-election was held due to the resignation of sitting Nationals member Adrian Piccoli.