One Nation secures historic lower house breakthrough in Farrer special election
The former agribusiness consultant defeated independent Michelle Milthorpe in the southwestern New South Wales seat, a move that signals a shift in the political landscape without altering the balance of power.
The One Nation party has achieved a historic milestone by winning its first-ever seat in the House of Representatives. David Farley, a former agribusiness consultant, is projected to secure a decisive victory in the special election for the Farrer division in New South Wales. According to preliminary figures reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Farley received 59.1 per cent of the vote, defeating independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who garnered 40.8 per cent.
This outcome represents a significant shift for the party founded by Pauline Hanson, which has struggled to secure federal representation over its thirty-year history. The seat was vacated in February when Sussan Ley, the leader of the centre-right Liberal Party, resigned. The centre-left Labor Party, which currently holds a majority in the lower house with 94 of 150 seats, did not contest the special election, leaving the seat open for the special poll.
Farley, who advocates for stricter migration controls and farming reforms, stated that the party is "going through the ceiling" and intends to implement policies tailored to Australia's labour market needs. His platform includes opposing migrants who rely on government support while acknowledging the necessity of assimilating migrants into the agricultural sector. He further pledged to pursue policies that reduce the cost of living, asserting that the government must fit Australia rather than the world.
Independent opponent Michelle Milthorpe congratulated Farley on his projected win but highlighted the challenges ahead for the party. She noted that while One Nation has successfully channelled public anger, the next two years will test its ability to translate this sentiment into concrete legislative results. Election analyst Casey Briggs described the outcome as "not a close result," reinforcing the clarity of the vote in the Farrer division.
Despite the symbolic importance of this victory, the result does not alter the balance of power in the House of Representatives. The Labor Party retains its majority, meaning Farley's win has limited immediate impact on the broader political landscape. However, the event coincides with a global trend of growing support for far-right populist parties, evidenced by recent gains made by Reform UK in Britain's local council elections earlier this week.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation confirmed the projected figures, noting that the final count has not yet been officially declared or certified. As the party moves forward, the focus remains on whether Farley can deliver on his promises regarding migration and industry reform, a task that will define his tenure in the lower house.
