For the first time since 1976, the state MP for Blue Mountains is not a member of the government.
Labor's Trish Doyle, who took the seat from Liberal Roza Sage on Saturday night with a majority of 58 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, will sit on the opposition benches when she takes her place in the Lower House.
But she doesn't believe it will make her a less effective advocate.
"I think it'll probably be tough at times to put our case but I feel this community has spoken very clearly ... on a range of issues. I am prepared in a very respectful way to work with the government of the day to meet the needs of the community."
Ms Doyle said her priorities were TAFE cuts, public transport and environmental issues.
"I know that people feel really strongly about TAFE - that would be the over-arching issue that came up when I spoke to people. So I would be taking up the case for TAFE, it would be absolutely high on my agenda."
She had also fielded many complaints about the train timetable and had worked with the Blue Mountains Conservation Society on environmental matters, she said.
And she had heard both criticism and concern about selling the power poles and wires, and more broadly about the "privatisation ideology" of the Baird government.
Ms Doyle, who stood unsuccessfully against Mrs Sage at the 2011 election, said she felt very humbled by her win.
"I feel incredibly privileged to have this new job representing the people of the Mountains. I feel quite humbled ... and I pay my respects to her [Mrs Sage] for a hard-fought campaign. I'm very grateful to the people of the Blue Mountains for their endorsement."
Ms Doyle and her supporters watched the election coverage at the Lawson Bowling Club and, while the numbers were on her side from early in the evening, it was only when she did live crosses to the major TV networks as the new MP that reality sank in.
"I don't think I allowed myself to think of what the overall result might be," she said. "I just had to concentrate on working hard, talking to as many people as possible and being positive."
She was joined at the club by one of her predecessors, Bob Debus, former federal health minister Neal Blewett, Senator Doug Cameron, Helen Westwood, Labor spokesperson for Macquarie Susan Templeman and most of the Labor councillors.
She thanked her "fabulous team" of supporters, starting with her sons Patrick and Tom, "my pride and joy", and including not only ALP members but a wide range of friends, unionists, TAFE teachers and P & C "buddies".
"There has been, I'm told, about 50-odd regular people who have staffed the railway station, manned stalls and doorknocked. Thank you to each and every one of you, especially those out at 5.30 in the morning at Blaxland station."
On election night, veteran federal politician Anthony Albanese included Ms Doyle in a group of new members who were potentially "front-bench material".
Did she have an eye on a portfolio, the Gazette asked.
"Not at all," she replied. "This is all very new to me and I'm not going to assume that I am owed any sort of position."
Ms Doyle outpolled Mrs Sage in 17 of the 26 polling booths, particularly in the Mid and Upper Mountains. Mrs Sage dominated in the Lower Mountains, with the exception of Warrimoo Citizens Hall, and also registered well at the Morven Gardens booth in Leura.
In the primary vote, Ms Doyle received 41 per cent, Mrs Sage 35.7 per cent and the Greens' Alandra Tasire 16.3 per cent. Tony Piper from the Christian Democratic Party received 3.1 per cent, Independent Mark Harrison 2.9 and the No Land Tax candidate, Gianna Maiorana 0.9 per cent.
Two-party preferred the numbers were 58.1 to Ms Doyle and 41.9 to Mrs Sage. In the 2011 election, Mrs Sage received 55 per cent to Ms Doyle's 45 per cent.