Competition in the Farrer by-election, triggered by Sussan Ley’s resignation announcement, is expected to be fierce.
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LUKAS COCH
The electorate of Farrer will provide a battleground for both major and minor parties vying for the seat following Sussan Ley’s incoming resignation.
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While the Australian Electoral Commission is yet to announce a date for the by-election, multiple hats have been thrown into the constituency’s ring.
Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who presented the stiffest competition against Ms Ley at last year’s federal election, confirmed she would run again.
Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe received over 20,000 votes in the 2025 federal election.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
“The last election proved this seat is no longer ‘safe’,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“The people of Farrer have already signalled they want genuine representation. This by-election is our opportunity to finish what we started.”
In mid-February, the Regional Voices Fund announced a $60,000 donation to kick-start Mrs Milthorpe’s campaign, whose support she welcomed.
“At the last election, I also welcomed the support of Climate 200 and its more than 33,000 donors ... and I welcome that support again,” she said.
NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton made it public she was considering a tilt at the seat, with reports surfacing she had been approached by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party following her announcement.
Ms Dalton said her intention was to represent her constituents as best as possible, either in state or national politics.
NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton is yet to confirm if she will run as a candidate in Farrer.
“For now, I will continue to talk to the people in my region to get a better gauge of what they want,” she said.
“Whatever I decide to do, I will be doing it to make sure their voices are a lot louder.”
After Ms Ley announced her resignation, Senator Pauline Hanson said local One Nation branch members would meet to select a candidate for the seat.
In a Facebook post, the party boasted of “more than 300 locals” attending a preselection event with Senator Sean Bell at Gerogery, north of Albury.
The National Party has also opened nominations for preselection to contest the seat, which it held from 1984 to 2001.
NSW Nationals chair Rick Colless said the party was uniquely placed to represent the region again.
“We will put forward a strong local candidate who will fight for Farrer, stand up for regional communities and ensure their voices are heard in Canberra,” he said.
The Labor and Liberal parties are expected to enter candidates in the by-election, with the Liberals holding the seat for a combined 60 years since its foundation in 1949.
Once Ms Ley tenders her resignation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a writ is issued, the AEC must hold a by-election a minimum of 33 days afterwards on a Saturday.
The 126,563 sq km electorate encompasses 14 local government areas, including the Murray and Edward river councils.
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