Liberal Trent Zimmerman has declared victory in the North Sydney seat vacated by his former employer Joe Hockey.

Votes are still being counted after Saturday’s by-election but Mr Zimmerman told the party faithful that he expects the government to retain the seat with 58 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis.

“I want to start by saying tonight that I give an absolute commitment to the voters of North Sydney, to the residents of North Sydney I will be a hard working, effective and dedicated MP that will work on behalf of all residents in this electorate, whether you voted for me today or not,” he said.

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