Family First Enters Farrer Race: Rebecca Scriven to Fight for “Family Values" in Post-Ley By-Election

In Short

New Contender: Family First has preselected Albury-based candidate Rebecca Scriven to contest the Farrer by-election following Sussan Ley's resignation.

Core Platform: Scriven’s campaign focuses on "defending family values," protecting faith-based education, and rolling back ideologically driven energy policies to lower power bills.

Crowded Field: With the Nationals expected to run for the first time since 2001 and a strong Independent presence, the May 9 vote is set to be the most unpredictable in decades.

Family First has officially entered the race for the upcoming Farrer by-election, announcing Rebecca Scriven as their candidate to contest the seat vacated by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

Mrs. Scriven, who lives just north of Albury, enters the field with a campaign centered on "defending family values" and easing the financial "strain" she says is currently squeezing regional households.

Originally from South Australia, she moved to the region several years ago and currently works at an independent Christian school.

A seasoned operator in the political sphere, Mrs. Scriven brings a resume that includes stints in two state Ministerial Offices and the South Australian Legislative Council. 

"Rebecca is asking for support to give families a voice in our nation’s capital," a party spokesperson said. "She is ready to advocate for life, religious freedom, and the preservation of the family unit."

She argues that her background in governance, paired with her active role in the local church community, provides the necessary grounding to represent the electorate in Canberra.

The Family First candidate is running on a platform deeply rooted in what she describes as Judeo-Christian values. Mrs. Scriven has been vocal in her critique of the current political landscape, claiming that "leftist agendas" have captured government decision-making to the detriment of local communities.

Key pillars of her campaign include:

Education: Protecting the right of faith-based schools to operate according to their specific ethos.

Cost of Living: Rolling back what she calls "ideologically based" energy policies that she claims are driving up power bills for families and small businesses.

Housing: Advocating for practical measures to increase housing affordability.

Social Policy: Strengthening laws to protect the unborn and the vulnerable, while seeking better resourcing for palliative care.

The by-election, scheduled by the Australian Electoral Commission for Saturday, 9 May 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable contests in the seat’s history.

With the Liberal Party facing a leadership transition following Ms. Ley’s resignation, the National Party is expected to contest Farrer for the first time since 2001.