The "miracle" that was Prime Minister Scott Morrison's victory on Saturday is testament to that.

Most voters across the nation were prepared to accept the Liberal Party head's argument that the economy would suffer under the financial policies of Labor Party leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Morrison is not the first former Treasurer to use alarm to win a surprise victory, it is exactly what Labor's Paul Keating did in 1993 in sinking Liberal leader John Hewson's plan for a GST.

In the intervening years both parties have played on fears over terrorism, asylum seekers and Medicare to win votes.

However, it appears the Liberal Party cruelled its chances in Indi with such tactics.

An attack flyer bearing the orange hue of Independent Helen Haines, but authorised by the Liberals, was letterbox dropped in the last week.

A previous generic anti-independents pamphlet saw Liberal Steve Martin criticised at The Border Mail's Indi election forum.

This should have been a warning that in a seat held by an independent for six years that such moves are not novel and likely to backfire.

Dr Haines is now set to win Indi in a close race.

Her success is proof of the network of support built up by fellow orange independent Cathy McGowan over her six years as Indi MP.

It contrasts with the independent campaign of Albury mayor Kevin Mack who challenged Liberal Party stalwart Sussan Ley in Farrer.

He noted on Sunday his "small team" could not match the efforts of Ms Ley who has held the large seat since 2001.

The triumph of Ms Ley should pave the way for her return to Cabinet following her resignation over a Gold Coast property transaction.

For the Labor Party the outcome is a disaster and their chiefs need to reassess their approach, which just like the pollsters that supported them, has been found wanting when it mattered.