One Nation candidate David Farley faces backlash for election-eve gaffe in Farrer byelection
Consensus Summary
One Nation candidate David Farley is facing calls to apologize after making a controversial remark about Dr Lachie McKeeman during a Friday night forum in Albury, where he said 'You can see why he lost his job, I think.' McKeeman, a popular local doctor, had left his position at Albury Wodonga Health late last year due to public criticism of the hospital redevelopment. The comment drew fierce backlash from rivals, including Nationals leader Matt Canavan and independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who described it as ignorant and insensitive. Farley cast his vote early Saturday at Albury Public School, while Pauline Hanson was spotted later with Farley in Narrandera, though neither attended the voting event as expected. The byelection in the seat of Farrer, a Coalition stronghold, has seen nearly 40% of voters already cast their ballots, with Hanson emphasizing the race remains uncertain. Key issues in the campaign include healthcare access, cost-of-living pressures, and regional infrastructure, with Hanson positioning the contest as part of a broader fight against major parties. Tensions within One Nation have also surfaced, with Hanson defending her control over party discipline and referencing past removals of underperforming MPs.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- One Nation candidate David Farley made the remark 'You can see why he lost his job, I think' about Dr Lachie McKeeman during a candidatesā forum on Friday night (2026-05-09) at Beer Deluxe in Albury
- Dr Lachie McKeeman, a popular Albury doctor, has not worked at Albury Wodonga Health since late 2025 after receiving legal advice that his position was untenable due to public criticism of the hospital redevelopment
- The byelection is for the seat of Farrer, a Coalition traditional rural stronghold, with nearly 50,000 voters (40% of enrolled voters) having already cast their vote by Saturday (2026-05-09)
- Nationals leader Matt Canavan called for Farley and Pauline Hanson to apologize for the 'disrespectful remarks' about Dr McKeeman, stating 'David Farley should apologise to Lachie McKeeman. Heās a great doctor'
- Michelle Milthorpe, the community independent candidate, condemned Farleyās comment as 'ignorant' and 'insensitive' and stated the issue is not a joke for Dr McKeeman or affected families
- Pauline Hanson stated she is not taking the contest for granted and remains on 'eggshells' until the counting starts, emphasizing the election is up to the voters
- Farley cast his vote at Albury Public School early on Saturday (2026-05-09) in front of national media, with no visible presence of Hanson or Barnaby Joyce as expected
- One Nation later posted images of Farley with Hanson and party senators in Narrandera, about two hours northwest of Albury, on Saturday
- Key campaign issues include cost-of-living pressures, water management, healthcare access, infrastructure, and support for agriculture and local industries
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Farley had endorsed his rival candidate 12 months ago and publicly disagreed with Hansonās immigration policy during the campaign
- Liberal MP Raissa Butkowski commented: 'I just know that thatās not the way that I would respond'
- Hanson referenced past acrimonious splits with former senators Brian Burston and Fraser Anning, stating she removed them for doing 'absolutely nothing'
- Hanson framed the contest as part of a broader political fight against the major parties, declaring: 'Can I do it? Yes, I can. I want our country back.'
- Farley told reporters on his way to vote that he was hopeful of winning voter support and replied to a question about Hansonās absence with: 'Iāll be seeing Pauline later on.'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Theage mentions Farley had 'endorsed his rival candidate 12 months ago and publicly disagreed with Hansonās immigration policy,' but this detail is not confirmed by SMH
- Theage includes a quote from Liberal MP Raissa Butkowski, but SMH does not mention her comment
- Theage explicitly states Farley had 'a string of gaffes' during the campaign, while SMH does not elaborate on this beyond the specific remark about Dr McKeeman
Source Articles
One Nation candidate facing calls to apologise over election-eve gaffe
Pauline Hansonās candidate in Farrer cast his vote without her on Saturday, as his rivals attacked him for taking a dig at a popular local GP.
One Nation candidate facing calls to apologise over election-eve gaffe
Pauline Hansonās candidate in Farrer cast his vote without her on Saturday, as his rivals attacked him for taking a dig at a popular local GP.