Jason Falinski, the former Liberal MP for the once blue-ribbon electorate of McKellar, has dismissed his party’s thumping defeat in a state byelection on the weekend, claiming “it means nothing” for the federal election.

Teal independent candidate Jacqui Scruby wrestled the affluent northern beaches Sydney seat of Pittwater from the Liberal Party on Saturday in a byelection sparked by the resignation of the former MP, Rory Amon, amid child sex charges.