One Nation's candidate for the Farrer by-election was reportedly a member of the NSW Nationals, donated $100 to Labor, praised the independent he is now running against, and was knocked back by the state Labor Party after making comments about former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Those are just some of the details that have emerged about David Farley, a Narrandera businessman running in Farrer and Pauline Hanson's pick to become the first One Nation candidate ever elected to the lower house.
How did we get here? After losing the Liberal leadership to Angus Taylor, Sussan Ley, the member for Farrer in south-west New South Wales, retired from parliament.
When an MP leaves during a parliamentary term their seat goes back to voters in a mini-election, or by-election.
The Farrer by-election takes place on May 9.
What gives?: Water politics, rising living costs and frustration with the major parties are all shaping the contest in Farrer.
Many voters remain hostile to the Albanese government, with water a central fault line: irrigators along the Murray–Darling argue federal policy has prioritised downstream South Australia over upstream farming communities.
Some voters carry lingering resentment over the way the Liberals treated Ley, their federal member of 25 years.
That discontent has shifted support toward independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation.
Farley: In April the Sydney Morning Herald revealed Farley was previously a financial member of the NSW Nationals from November 2015 to November 2020. He later let that membership expire.
In 2021, he reportedly approached the Labor Party about running for office, a bid that was ultimately rejected for reasons including calling Julia Gillard a “non-productive old cow”. He later claimed the comments had been taken out of context.
The Herald also reported Farley donated $100 to Labor's campaign in the 2023 Aston by-election, a contest Labor went on to win.
Finally, it has also been reported that Farley publicly declared support on Facebook and donated to Michelle Milthorpe during the 2025 federal election, the same independent candidate he is now running against in Farrer.
Please explain: Since the details came to light, Farley has sought to explain himself.
In a Facebook post, Farley said he explored his options, looked at the Liberals and Nationals and spoke to Labor, but found their views were "worlds apart" from his own, eventually finding his home at One Nation.
The National Account sought comment from Farley but did not receive a response.
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