IN SHORT

• The Nationals have selected retired army colonel Brad Robertson as their Farrer by-election candidate after a preselection vote in Griffith on March 8, while One Nation named Narrandera agribusiness veteran David Farley at a rally in Albury on March 7.
• An early poll reported by the ABC's Insiders program on March 8 reportedly shows One Nation leading with independent Michelle Milthorpe second, with the Liberals and Nationals well behind — making preferences a critical factor.
• The Farrer by-election is scheduled for May 9, 2026, triggered by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley's resignation after 25 years representing the seat. Labor is not expected to field a candidate and the Liberal Party has yet to name its contender.

The race to represent Farrer, a federal electorate that takes in Hay, Balranald, Griffith, Leeton, Deniliquin, Narrandera, Corowa, Wentworth and Albury, entered a decisive new phase over the weekend of March 7 and 8, with One Nation announcing its candidate and the Nationals confirming theirs from a preselection vote held in Griffith.

The by-election, set for May 9, 2026, was triggered by the resignation of Sussan Ley, who held the seat for 25 years before losing the Liberal Party leadership to Angus Taylor in February and subsequently announcing her retirement from parliament.

The Nationals selected retired army colonel Brad Robertson after the Griffith vote on Sunday March 8. Robertson was raised in Bathurst and spent 30 years in the Australian Army, with his final posting as commander of the Joint Logistics Unit at Bandiana in Victoria. He is currently a board member of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund. His selection marks the first time the Nationals have contested Farrer since 2001, when former Corowa councillor Bill Bott was defeated by Ley in a narrow three-cornered contest. Before Ley, the seat was held by the Nationals from 1984 to 2001 through former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer.

One Nation moved the day prior, with Narrandera agribusiness veteran David Farley winning the party's preselection at the Albury Convention Centre on March 7. Farley, 69, is a former CEO of major beef producer the Australian Agricultural Company and current chair of water advocacy group Speak Up 4 Water. He was born and bred in Narrandera and has worked for agribusinesses overseas. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce — who defected to One Nation in December — appeared at Albury's QEII Square on Saturday to endorse Farley before a public rally.

Farley said water policy and the cost of living would be central to his campaign, with Murray-Darling Basin reform at the top of his agenda.

"Why is water being managed as an environmental asset when it should be managed as a sovereign asset?" he said.

"The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has reached well beyond its remit."

Farley also welcomed the decision by NSW independent state MP Helen Dalton not to contest the federal seat, saying it reflected well on her commitment to her Murray electorate.

"It's good for Farrer and Murray," he said. "On Helen's behalf, it shows that she is looking after her constituents. She has proved her capabilities; she has proved her tenacity and she has runs on the board."

Just before his preselection was confirmed, Farley said he believed he had "the capacity, skills and tenacity to represent Farrer on the critical issues that are needed."

The first poll of the Farrer contest, reported by the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday, reportedly shows One Nation leading with independent Michelle Milthorpe in second place, and the Liberals and Nationals well behind. With preferences likely to prove decisive, the question of how-to-vote card arrangements between the parties has already entered the debate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in during a recent visit to Albury, urging the Coalition to put One Nation last on its how-to-vote cards.

"They can't just be One Nation lite, coming up with similar policies to One Nation. They need to be responsible going forward. John Howard always put One Nation last on the how-to-vote of the Liberal Party. We'll wait and see what decisions Angus Taylor and David Littleproud are prepared to make," Mr Albanese said.

Farley responded by accusing the major parties of attempting to collude against One Nation. "What they're proposing is very disingenuous to the constituents and their rights under our democracy," he said.

The Coalition parties have not yet made a decision on their preference arrangements.

Milthorpe, who finished second on primary votes at the 2022 election and is backed by Climate 200, has confirmed she will contest the seat again. The Liberal Party — which has held Farrer for 25 years — is the only major party yet to name a candidate. Liberal state Albury MP Justin Clancy had considered running but withdrew from consideration last week.

Labor is not expected to field a candidate. The Greens, Family First, People First and several other minor parties have also confirmed they will contest the seat.

Enrolment for the by-election closes at 8pm on April 8, 2026.