The Australian Electoral Commission officially declared Fiona Phillips the winner of the federal seat of Gilmore on Friday, 27 days after the South Coast electorate went to the polls.

Phillips attended a ceremony at the AEC office in Wollongong as part of her third straight term as the Gilmore MP.

There had been little doubt that she would retain the seat in the hours immediately after the polls closed on May 3 even though she had claimed the seat by only 373 votes in 2022, which made it the most marginal seat in the country leading into the election.

Fiona Phillips MP with her son Henry and local volunteer Cathy Russell at the Declaration of the Poll.

Once the final numbers were tallied this time around, she ended up with 55.15 per cent of votes on a two-candidate preferred basis, a swing of nearly five per cent, to trounce Liberal rival Andrew Constance.

Phillips is focusing on better local health services and cost of living relief as her main priorities at the start of her third term in office.

“I’m really thrilled to be delivering a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra and expanded hours for the Batemans Bay clinic from 6am till midnight seven days a week,” she said.

“Local people deserve to have access to free health care close to home, which is why I am also proud to have secured an upgraded Nowra Medicare Mental Health Centre.

“I’m working hard to see these projects move forward as quickly as possible."

Anthony Albanese's Federal Government is slashing student debt in the wake of their comprehensive victory over the Coalition and Phillips believes these measures will have multiple flow-on effects.

“So many local young people have told me how much the slashing of student debt will mean to them, providing cost of living and debt relief to help them build a better future,” she said.

“I’m so proud the Prime Minister has made this a top priority for the new Parliament, and I am excited to help deliver this and more to support local people deal with the cost of living.”

At the official declaration, Phillips thanked the community for its support and pledged to keep fighting for her electorate.

“I have been absolutely humbled to represent this amazing community in our Parliament since 2019, and I’m honoured to continue working hard for the people of the South Coast,” she said.

“I am driven by my love of this community, and I am so grateful they have put their trust in me once again.

“I would also like to sincerely thank all of my wonderful volunteers for their incredible work – we have spoken with thousands of local people throughout this long campaign, and I am grateful for their tireless efforts.”