Named in honour of noted wheat breeder and experimentalist William James Farrer (1845-1906), the electorate, covering 126,563 square kms, had been safe coalition country. Saturday marked a significant shift for Farrer voters, with polling numbers showing a 31 per cent swing against the Liberals and a 33 per cent swing to Farley, the One Nation candidate. Farley secured 39 per cent of the primary vote (39,020) and 57 per cent of the two-party preferred vote (56,674).
Historic for the electorate and with Farley being One Nation’s first House of Rep’s MP, historic for the party.
The AEC advised that, despite the result of the by-election not being in doubt, the official result for Farrer will likely only be declared by the AEC in the last week of May.
Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the large number of postal votes, and broad spread of first preference votes in the election is a factor in that timeline.
“We’ve calculated the current figures against the various tests for official poll declarations, and it looks like a full distribution of preferences will have to occur prior to the declaration,” Mr Pope said.
“This is not uncommon – it was the case for more than half of all 150 seats in the 2025 federal election and for the Fadden by-election in 2023.”
Farley appeared honoured with the privilege of representing Farrer.
“I’m deeply humbled by the support the people of Farrer have shown One Nation. This is the greatest honour of my life,” wrote Farley.
“I will work every single day to repay the trust you’ve placed in me.”
“Farrer is in my heart, and it drives everything I do. Our One Nation team is committed to standing up for Farrer and for Australia.”
“You voted for change you can trust and I promise that life can get better.”
“If we’re going to return our nation to prosperity, we need to lead with courage and determination. Through hard work, we can build a stronger future and that work starts right here in Farrer.”
Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe’s campaign secured 28 per cent of the primary vote (27,708) and 42 per cent of the two-party preferred vote (41,654). A visibly emotional Milthorpe addressed supporters on election night, conceding the loss and paying tribute to the scores of volunteers who helped during her campaign.
Farrer’s former MP Sussan Ley, who was noticeably absent during the campaign, issued a statement on Farley’s win.
“I congratulate David Farley and One Nation on their victory in Farrer tonight.”
“Serving the people of Farrer for 25 years, having been endorsed by locals at nine elections, was the privilege of my professional life. I know David will feel the same sense of honour and responsibility.”
“I pay tribute to Raissa Butkowski for her efforts over the past two months. Upon leaving Parliament, I bequeathed a quarter of a million dollars in personal fundraising to support the next Liberal candidate and I acknowledge Raissa’s tireless determination since her preselection.”
While Ley’s $250,000 didn’t yield any great results, it paled in comparison to the $600,000 that political group GetUp! sought to raise, not for the people of Farrer, but to stop One Nation.
In this election, the attacks, muck-raking and attempts to frame voters as bigots and racists appear to have been met with a big orange middle finger.
Now the real work begins for Farley.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 14 May 2026.
