One Nation MP David Farley faces industry wrath over fuel tax credit vote

One Nation is under intense scrutiny after its rookie MP for Farrer, David Farley, voted to cap fuel tax credits, aligning with the Greens and teal independents on a measure opposed by major industry bodies. The amendment, moved by Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele, sought to limit the scheme that refunds the 52.6c per litre excise on petrol and diesel for heavy industry users, including miners and farmers. The proposal was ultimately defeated after being rejected by both the Labor and Coalition benches.

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) have strongly condemned Farley’s decision, characterising it as a betrayal of the regional constituencies One Nation claims to represent. MCA chief executive Tania Constable described the vote as "really disappointing," stating that Farley had voted against farmers, fishers, the construction industry, and miners. "He voted against regional Australia," Constable told Sky News, noting that the MCA had recently launched a campaign to protect the rebate scheme from what it termed "noisy activists."

Farley’s stance places him in the same camp as climate campaigners, unions, and mining billionaire Andrew Forrest, who view the fuel tax credit scheme as an impediment to decarbonisation. Guardian Australia has not established whether Farley intended to support the amendment or made a procedural error during the rapid parliamentary process. The Farrer MP, who was sworn into parliament earlier this month, described the vote as "political theatre" and denied being caught out by the speed of the proceedings.

In the wake of the vote, One Nation privately assured mining executives that Farley’s action was a mistake and reaffirmed the party’s support for the existing fuel tax credit regime. This internal clarification follows comments from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who stated earlier in the month that she "had to have a conversation" with Farley regarding his political positions. The incident marks another instance of policy freelancing for Farley, who has previously backed current migration levels and signalled support for flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag, a position he later clarified.

Political opponents have seized on the incident to question One Nation’s consistency and Farley’s preparedness for parliament. Nationals leader Matt Canavan and shadow treasurer Tim Wilson criticised the party’s stance, with Canavan stating that parliament is not a place for "training wheels." Shadow resources minister Susan McDonald joined NFF CEO Michael Guerin at a press conference to demand clarity on whether Farley’s vote reflected official party policy, highlighting the growing pressure on One Nation to define its position on energy policy.