Canberra's minor parties and Independents were the biggest losers in Saturday's election.
Despite gaining 15.6 per cent of the vote across three electorates up 6.5 per cent on 2004 they won not a single seat.
Tharwa's Val Jeffery claimed the highest percentage for any individual candidate, with 4042 votes, or 6.5 per cent of the vote, in Brindabella.
Mr Jeffery said he was pleased with his personal vote but the election result left him disappointed.
''I can't believe that Canberra people have chosen more of the same [government], and even worse with the Greens. But at any rate that's their choice and so be it,'' he said.
''There's no doubt it's been a disendorsement of both major parties. The Labor vote has gone back to square one. They have suffered a great deal, considering what they have imposed in the last four years.''
Mr Jeffery said he had not completely ruled out the chance that preferences might still go his way, but said it was more likely his preferences would be spread around a wide range of parties.
Mark Parton claimed the second-highest number of votes for an Independent or minor party candidate, with 3580 votes, or 6.3 per cent. He said he was over the moon with the result, though it was not enough for the former radio host to claim a seat in Ginninderra.
''Ten weeks ago I didn't have a single vote. I always figured 4 per cent was a pass mark. As an Independent, it was a milestone and we will far exceed that,'' he said.
He also refused to rule out the chance he could still claim a seat after preferences ''there is an outside chance I could steal Vicki's [Dunne's] seat'' but conceded it was unlikely.
In the aftermath of a night that finished at 4am, he said finding a new job was now a priority, and wouldn't rule out another run in 2012.
Frank Pangallo will not be moving back to NSW in light of his failed bid to enter the ACT Assembly.
The former Queanbeyan mayor received the third-highest number of votes of any Independent. With 80.9 per cent of the vote in the Molonglo electorate counted, Mr Pangallo received 3167 first-preference votes, or 3.9 per cent.
''I always knew from the outset how difficult it would be to get one of the spots in Molonglo. There are a lot of candidates and a lot of high-profile candidates and it was always going to be the most difficult area to get into,'' he said. ''I just perceived by the community that they wanted to get rid of the Labor Government and I thought that I could offer (myself as) a very reliable representative.''
Mr Pangallo is waiting for the ACT Planning and Land Authority to approve an extension on his Narrabundah home.
''So I'll be busy for the next few months anyway.''
He has not ruled out standing for the next election but has no interest in joining the major parties.
The Australia Motorist Party received 7 per cent and 6.2 per cent of the vote in Brindabella and Ginninderra, respectively. Its share of the vote dropped to 2.9 per cent in Molonglo.
Party president Geoff Develin was pragmatic about the result.
''We're reasonably satisfied it appears we've gathered as many votes or more votes than the other parties and Independents. I mean that's a very good and encouraging result, though it may not deliver a seat. But, it clearly shows there was stronger support towards the Motorist Party than any other party or Independents.''
The 47-year-old said the results showed roads and transport were an issue of concern in Canberra.
Numerous calls to Independent former Liberal Richard Mulcahy and his staffers were not returned.