Farrer voters' return to the ballot box might make political history
Voters in the New South Wales federal electorate of Farrer will vote in a by-election on May 9, 2026, following the resignation of long-time Liberal MP Sussan Ley. Once a safe Coalition seat, the contest has become highly competitive, with One Nation's David Farley and independent Michelle Milthorpe emerging as frontrunners. The election reflects broader shifts in rural Australian politics, with issues like water management and immigration taking center stage.
- ▪The Farrer by-election is being held on May 9, 2026, to replace former Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley.
- ▪Farrer has been a Coalition-held seat since its creation in 1949, but One Nation and an independent are now leading in the polls.
- ▪There is no Labor candidate contesting the by-election, a decision criticized by local leaders as a snub to the region.
- ▪Key campaign issues include opposition to water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin and calls for reduced immigration, despite the area's reliance on migrant workers.
- ▪The electorate covers 16% of New South Wales and includes major towns such as Albury, Griffith, Deniliquin, and Leeton.
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Once-safe Coalition seat Farrer now in sights of One Nation at by-electionBy Emily Doak and Melinda HayterStatelineTopic:By-Elections19m ago19 minutes agoThu 30 Apr 2026 at 8:35pmThe Farrer by-election represent a microcosm of Australian politics, with the Liberals, Nationals, One Nation and an independent contesting the seat. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato)In short:Voters in the federal electorate of Farrer will head to the polls next weekend to elect a replacement for former Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley.Farrer has been a safe Coalition seat for decades, but an appetite for change now sees One Nation's David Farley and independent Michelle Milthorpe considered the frontrunners.What's next:The Farrer by-election will be held on May…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).