One Nation and independents challenge Coalition in Farrer by-election
Consensus Summary
The upcoming by-election in the rural NSW electorate of Farrer has attracted significant interest, with One Nation, independents, and the major parties all vying for the traditionally conservative seat. The resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley has opened up the race, with water management and the Coalition's handling of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan emerging as key issues. While the Nationals have announced their candidate, the Liberals are yet to do so, and independent Michelle Milthorpe is also running after a strong showing in the last election. One Nation is hoping to capitalize on a recent boost in national polling to claim the seat, in what is shaping up to be a closely watched test of the major parties' regional support.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The federal by-election for the seat of Farrer in NSW will be held on 9 May 2023, triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley
- The candidates in the by-election include One Nation's David Farley, the Nationals' Brad Robertson, independent Michelle Milthorpe, and the Liberals are yet to announce a candidate
- The 126,000 sq km rural electorate of Farrer has been a traditional Coalition stronghold, held by the Liberals for 25 years and previously by the Nationals
- Water management and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan are major issues in the electorate, with farmers and irrigators frustrated by the Coalition's handling of the issue
- One Nation is targeting the seat, hoping to build on a recent boost in national polling, while the independents are also seen as a threat to the major parties
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Farrer covers an area of 126,000 sq km and takes at least 9 hours to drive from its eastern to western points
- More than 30% of Farrer's population live in Albury, the region's main metropolitan hub
- The Nationals have selected former military commander Brad Robertson as their candidate for the by-election
- One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, who defected to One Nation, were present at the party's preselection meeting in Albury
- The Climate 200-backed independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who contested the seat at the last election, will run again
- Labor is unlikely to field a candidate in the by-election
- A poll by the Australia Institute found One Nation leading the primary vote in Farrer at 28.6%, followed by independent Michelle Milthorpe at 23.3% and the Liberals at 19.1%
- The poll also found strong support among Farrer voters for a 25% tax on gas exports
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC reports the Nationals have selected Brad Robertson as their candidate, while the Guardian says the Liberals and Nationals are yet to announce their candidates
Source Articles
Do-or-die call for One Nation, Libs
Preference flows may thwart One Nation’s gains in Farrer, a new poll finds, as voters rally behind a controversial proposal.
Farrer's vast swathe of Coalition heartland 'at a crossroads' and up for grabs
The upcoming Farrer by-election is already being talked about as a litmus test for the new opposition leader and an ascendant One Nation. It'll also be a measure of major party politics.
Agricultural businessman to stand for One Nation in Farrer by-election
David Farley, 69, defeats two other candidates in today's preselection battle at the Albury Entertainment Centre.
Nationals select former military commander Brad Robertson to contest Farrer
The National Party's candidate for the Farrer by-election, Brad Robertson, says the people of Farrer have been "waiting" for the Nationals to come back.
One Nation seeks a foothold in Farrer as it names byelection candidate
David Farley will contest the New South Wales seat of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley in May ballot Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast David Farley has been named as One Nation’s candidate in the federal byelection for the seat of the ousted Liberal leader, Sussan Ley . The New South Wales electorate of Farrer will go to the polls on 9 May after Ley, who held the seat for 25 years, quit parliament last month after being deposed as opposition leader by Angus Taylor. Con
Nationals name candidate for Farrer vote
The highly-anticipated contest for Farrer is heating up as the Nationals and One Nation confirm their candidates for the race.
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