A Liberal candidate has won a by-election in North Sydney, becoming the first out gay member of Australia’s lower House.

Trent Zimmerman won the by-election, calling it a “humbling honour”.

He won despite a 13 percent swing against his party, and received 47.6 percent of the overall vote.

Announcing his victory on Sunday evening, Zimmerman said: “Not all of the votes have been counted yet, but it’s quite clear that with over 50 percent of the ballots in that the Government is going to retain the seat of North Sydney.”

“It is an incredible humbling honour to serve as your representative in the Australian Parliament.”

The acting president of the Liberal Party, Zimmerman, became the first out gay member of the Lower House in winning the seat, but barely mentioned it in his victory speech.

“I know that tonight in some ways is a very historic moment for the Australian Parliament and I’m very cognisant of that fact,” he said.

Zimmerman also praised the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for his “inspiring positivism”.

“Can I say PM, the message I heard time and time and time again is residents in North Sydney are inspired by your optimism, are inspired by your positivism and inspired by the way in which you are conducting your new Government.”