sentences:  At the time, the by-election was seen as a test of the NSW Nationals, who had held the seat for 17 years prior to McGrane's election in 1999, while Fardell presented herself as "capable of working with any party and not having to toe the party line".Labor, which had not held the seat since 1959, did not field a candidate, and federal independents Peter Andren and Tony Windsor supported Fardell in her campaign.In the final result, Fardell picked up 49.3% of the primary vote, with 56% on a two-party preferred basis.