Newly-elected Liberal MP Peter Katsambanis rang his opponent in the middle of the night to gloat after winning a bitterly fought battle for the seat of Hillary's in Perth's north.

Rob Johnson, a former police minister who fell out with Premier Colin Barnett and turned independent, on Sunday released what he said was a "drunken phone message left on my mobile at 2.49am this morning from Peter Katsambanis".

"Hello Rob, this is Peter Katsambanis calling, have a great day, enjoy the rest of your life, thank you, bye bye," it said.

Mr Johnson was unimpressed, saying "this demonstrates exactly why I ran for the seat in yesterday's election - I believe the people of Hillarys deserve better.

"This phone message and his comments to the media last night and this morning were deplorable and is representative of the dirty, vindictive and dishonest campaign he ran against me in the past few weeks," he said.

"On a brighter note, I have thoroughly enjoyed tremendous support and loyalty from my local community and am proud of what I achieved in my 24 years in parliament."

Mr Katsambanis lost preselection for Hillary's to local businessman Simon Ehrenfeld in a vote by local branch members but Liberal powerbrokers stepped in and would not endorse him.

AAP 2017

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New Liberal MP rings opponent at 3am - 9news.com.au