David Farley convincingly won last Saturday’s Farrer by-election, becoming the first One Nation candidate ever elected to the House of Representatives.
For the first time in the history of Farrer, the electorate will not be represented by a Coalition MP.
Mr Farley broke through the glass ceiling with a whopping 57.4 per cent of the votes, well ahead of close rival, Independent Michelle Milthorpe’s 42.6 per cent.
The One Nation candidate led the charge against Ms Milthorpe in all but five of the 94 polling booths but polled below Liberal candidate, Raissa Butkowski and Ms Milthorpe at hospital booths.
He received just over 50 per cent of the votes in Hay (676), with Michelle Milthorpe trailing at 263.
A total of 126 informal votes were recorded at Hay. At Balranald, Mr Farley polled 268 votes and Ms Milthorpe 61.
The One Nation candidate polled 39.5 per cent first preferences.
Michelle Milthorpe 28.4 per cent, Liberals 12.4 per cent, National 9.7 per cent, the Legalise Cannabis party 2.3 per cent.
The Greens first preferences were 2.2 per cent, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers 1.9 per cent, Family first 1.2 per cent, Independent Gary Pappin 0.8 per cent, People First 0.7 per cent, Affordable Housing – Sustainable Australia Party 0.6 per cent and Independent Roger Woodward 0.3 per cent.
Labor did not field a candidate in the by-election.
In his victory speech over the weekend, the incoming MP described his campaign as a humbling and honoured experience, and confirmed his focus will be on water buybacks, net zero and immigration when he takes his seat in federal parliament.
One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson has offered her deepest congratulations to Mr Farley with a promise that Farrer would no longer be forgotten.
In a media release issued by Kate Hook, Climate 200 co-convenor, Michelle Milthorpe was praised for running a fantastic campaign in what has been a tough by-election.
“She has fought for her community, not a political party from Queensland,” Ms Hook said.
“As Michelle says, “I consider the people of Farrer as my party … and nobody else”.
“If One Nation wins, it will be on the back of Liberal preferences, and Angus Taylor and Tim Wilson must explain why their grubby and cynical deal handed One Nation another seat in parliament and more political influence to Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart.
“The preference deal with One Nation is proof the Liberal party are further from the political centre, and more extreme than ever.
“The broad church is now a narrow cult.”
In contrast, Independent Gary Pappin congratulated Mr Farley and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party for winning the Federal Seat of Farrer.
“Mr Farley has acted with great persistence and tenacity,” he said.
“I expect he will do his best in Parliament for the constituents of Farrer”.
Mr Pappin also thanked Ruth Clarke and staff of the Australian Electoral Commission for working so diligently over the past few weeks to make sure the election was run fairly and smoothly.
In conceding the seat of Farrer, he thanked his fellow candidates for their roles in shaping the community.
“I am very proud of the way Australian democracy works; that every voice has the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 13 May 2026.
