Mrs Britnell is now the leading candidate to be the new Liberal Party deputy leader after the the shock loss of Louise Staley in Ripon as part of November 24’s election landslide win by Labor.

Mrs Britnell said she would continue to be a strong player in the party room with a loud clear voice.

"I'm never going to keep quiet," she said with a laugh. 

"Leadership and those positions are a matter for the party room and we'll hold those talks tomorrow (Thursday) and decisions will be made.

"I've received many messages of congratulations over the past week. The count does take time, it's part of the process.

"It was fairly tight in the end, about 2000 votes.

"It's a different margin to what we've seen in the past and the message sent by that result is not lost on me.

"I'll make sure that message gets to Spring Street in Melbourne. I will continue to be a strong voice for South West Coast."

In the South West Coast election, on a two-party preferred basis, Mrs Britnell  received 21,473 votes, 1603 ahead of Labor candidate Kylie Gaston with 19,870.

Mrs Britnell managed 51.9 per cent of the vote and Mrs Gaston  48.1 per cent.

"I'm really honoured and humbled to be the member for South West Coast and I will never forget where my priorities lie," the Liberal MP said.

"I thank all the people of South West Coast. I have a lot of work to do.

"We need stage two of the redevelopment of the Warrnambool Base Hospital, a hospital for a regional centre reflective of community needs.

"The government needs to complete the task it started."

Mrs Britnell said roads and road safety would continue to be a priority.

"As a region we punch well above our weight and that contribution needs to be recognised," he said.

The returned MP said said her first visit next week would be to new Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos closely followed by a stop-in to see Jaala Pulford, the Upper House representative for Western Victoria and the new Minister for Roads.

Mrs Britnell said her third priority was for further funding for the Warrnambool to Warrnambool train service.

"If (Premier) Daniel Andrews really wants to govern for all Victorians, and that's what he said, then these are our priorities in South West Coast," she said.

"Hospitals, roads and rail – that's our priority list and what he needs to deliver."

Mrs Gaston congratulated Mrs Britnell on the win.

"I wish Roma every every success in representing the region," she said.

"It was a great race and I would also like to congratulate all the other candidates.

"We now have a competitive seat and that's a very good thing for us as a region."

Mrs Gaston said she would be tempted to stand again as the Labor candidate after a surprisingly close count.

"The Andrews Government is working hard, it's a disciplined government, it's getting results and providing for communities," she said.

"I wanted to give the party all the help I could. I appreciate all the help I received and I'll keep my future options open," she said.

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