Angus Taylor faces a leadership test in the Farrer byelection as an independent candidate vows to 'finish what we started' and oust the Liberals. The orange emu corflutes, once used to support independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, are set to return to the scene. Milthorpe, who ran second to Sussan Ley in the last election, has seen the Liberals' bickering since then lead to Ley's announcement of retirement, triggering a byelection in her seat of Farrer. This byelection will be a crucial test of Taylor's leadership and his new pitch further rightward into the anti-immigration space. Pauline Hanson's One Nation has confirmed it will run in Farrer, adding to the political tension. Milthorpe emphasizes the importance of reliable and relatable representation for the electorate, which borders South Australia and Victoria and includes Albury, Deniliquin, and Griffith. She praises Ley's 24-year career while promising a greater focus on local issues if elected. Milthorpe received significant donations during the last election, including $283,000 from Climate 200 and the Regional Voices fund, and she welcomes further support for climate action. The region, she notes, bears the brunt of floods, fires, and droughts, and demands real consultation, a fair transition, grid stability, and renewable energy benefits. The Farrer byelection, the fifth in three years, follows the retirement of another Liberal leader, Scott Morrison, and could be a messy contest. Election analyst Antony Green predicts a competitive race, with the Nationals and Labor potentially entering the fray. The electorate's reaction to the Coalition's dysfunction in 2023, when the Liberals lost a once-safe seat, could be a significant factor. With Labor's strong performance in the 2025 election, a similar outcome would be even more devastating. Green suggests that Labor is unlikely to contest the seat, leaving it open for a conservative battle. The byelection's timing, close to the May federal budget, adds to the political intrigue. Milthorpe's relentless campaigning, evident on social media, showcases her dedication to the cause. She continues to advocate for the contentious Albury-Wodonga hospital redevelopment, aiming to secure the seat on her second attempt. Milthorpe asserts that the last election proved the seat is no longer 'safe' and that the people of Farrer have already signaled their desire for genuine representation. This byelection, she declares, is their opportunity to finish what they started.
