The 55-year-old farmer secured just over 10 per cent of the primary vote after standing as an independent candidate in the weekend’s Wagga byelection.

He had previously stood as an independent in the 2015 poll.

Mr Funnell, who is also a Wagga councillor and on the Riverina Local Land Services Board and Riverina Water Couty Council, preferenced fellow independent candidate Joe McGirr, who is now seen as the likely next Member for Wagga.

He said he would remain interested in politics, but did not intend to run in March.

“We achieved what we set out out to do in this election,” Mr Funnell said.

“I said from the outset I wasn’t looking for a new career.

“I just wanted to see things change, and Wagga no longer being taken for granted.”