The Guardian Australia has uncovered text messages revealing that Kelvin Morton, the general manager of One Nation, referred to David Farley, the party's candidate who won the Farrer byelection in May, as an 'asshole' days before his victory. The messages, seen by Guardian Australia, show Morton criticizing Farley's previous support for the Labor party and expressing concerns about his trustworthiness. Morton wrote, 'We need to stop finding these assholes … or letting them find us,' and suggested that Farley's allegiance to One Nation would be cemented after the election, making him 'a completely untrustworthy snake' if he were to switch parties post-election. A One Nation spokesperson stated that Farley is 'a dedicated One Nation MP' and that the comments do not reflect the party's view, adding that the person who leaked the messages is 'the only untrustworthy snake.' The article also details internal party tensions, including Morton's clashes with Brisbane headquarters staff and volunteers. Morton, appointed in February to improve the party's vetting processes, has been involved in disputes over branch management, including the removal of the Lilley branch committee after a dispute about promotional materials and a $12,000 fundraising event. Morton accused the branch of not handing over funds and demanded the return of all party property and financial records. Branch members, including coordinator Mark McGuire, claimed the treatment was unfair and that the $12,000 had already been transferred to central office. The party spokesperson declined to comment on internal disciplinary actions, stating that all branch donations are managed through a microsite and quarantined for local campaigns. The article highlights the internal conflicts within One Nation, particularly regarding candidate selection and branch management, as the party seeks to professionalize its operations under Morton's leadership.

The upcoming Farrer by-election is already being talked about as a litmus test for the new opposition leader and an ascendant One Nation. It'll also be a measure of major party politics.

GetUp! is spending $600,000 to fight Pauline Hanson's One Nation in the Farrer electorate byelection on May 9. See how this affects voters.

In the recent Farrer by-election in southern New South Wales, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party achieved a significant victory over the Coalition in what was traditionally a safe seat. According to local editor Oliver Jacques, the party’s success stemmed largely from a strong and direct presence on Facebook, bypassing traditional media channels like press releases and media calls that are common in Australian campaigning. This approach mirrors how Donald Trump leveraged social media in the United States. One Nation focused on engaging directly with voters online, avoiding reliance on mainstream outlets. Analysis of the result has varied, with some commentators suggesting the Coalition’s positioning on the political spectrum contributed to the loss. The strategy highlights a shift in modern political campaigning in regional Australia, where platforms like Facebook remain highly influential among voters. One Nation’s rise in the polls continues, prompting both major parties to reassess their approaches. The article underscores the evolving role of social media in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly in rural and regional electorates where traditional media coverage may be limited. This development raises questions about the future of political communication in Australia and the declining influence of legacy media in certain contexts.

In a significant political upset, One Nation has won the Farrer byelection, capturing a regional NSW seat from the Liberal Party for the first time in 77 years. Pauline Hanson's party celebrated the victory in Albury, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the major parties. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has refused to rule out a potential coalition with One Nation, despite previously calling the party 'despicable' and 'toxic'. He stressed the Liberals must respond to voter sentiment and work to strengthen the party. The Liberals secured just 12.4 per cent of the primary vote, with the Nationals contesting the seat for the first time in nearly 25 years contributing to the shift. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor faces criticism, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers suggesting the Coalition may need to rely on One Nation to form government. Hanson signalled a focus on policy initiatives, particularly in the gas and agricultural sectors, promising to consult industry stakeholders. Deputy Liberal Leader Jane Hume acknowledged the need to rebuild public trust following policy inconsistencies and internal splits, emphasising that restoring voter confidence will take time. The result underscores voter frustration with broken promises and the appeal of alternative parties in regional electorates.

One Nation has achieved a landmark win in the NSW seat of Farrer, signalling a significant shift in Australian politics. Businessman David Farley secured the seat, which had been held by the Liberals and Nationals for seven decades, marking the first lower house win for Pauline Hanson’s party in its own right. The victory reflects growing voter frustration with the traditional parties and demonstrates the appeal of populist messages around economic anxieties, immigration, and distrust of the political class. Despite Farley's internal disagreements with Hanson on migration policy, One Nation managed to consolidate support and outperform the Coalition candidates, with the Liberals and Nationals combining for less than 20% of the primary vote. Opposition leader Angus Taylor appeared unprepared for the result, relying on scripted statements and emphasising party unity despite the scale of the loss. Analysts suggest that every seat gained by One Nation weakens the Coalition and strengthens Labor's hold on government. Former MP Sussan Ley noted that the result underscores the urgency of Angus Taylor’s earlier warning that the Liberal Party needed to 'change or die', a sentiment now made more relevant by Farrer’s outcome. The byelection serves as a warning for major parties about the rising influence of right-wing populism in Australia, highlighting the challenge ahead for future federal elections.

David Farley, the One Nation candidate for Farrer, reportedly engaged with the community-driven independent movement 'Voices of Farrer' ahead of the 2024 election. Documents obtained by Guardian Australia show that Farley sought to discuss preferences, suggest a campaign platform for both House and Senate, and even purchased a ticket to a Voices event, though he ultimately could not attend. The group later endorsed Michelle Milthorpe as their candidate. Farley’s political history has come under scrutiny, having previously approached Labor about a 2022 run and publicly supported Milthorpe’s campaign in 2025. While he has shifted party affiliations over the years, Farley maintains he found a home in One Nation due to its alignment with his values. During a recent forum, he also appeared to contradict One Nation’s immigration policy, supporting current Labor migration figures. One Nation representatives emphasised that many Australians explore multiple parties before finding one that reflects their values. The Farrer byelection follows former Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s resignation, and Milthorpe ultimately lost to Ley in 2024. Farley is now expected to win the upcoming Farrer byelection, despite ongoing attention to his past political manoeuvrings.

In a significant development in Australian federal politics, One Nation candidate David Farley has won the Farrer by-election, marking a historic shift in a seat long held by the Liberal Party since 1949. The result underscores deep challenges for Liberal leader Angus Taylor, whose strategy of preferencing One Nation and pushing against Sussan Ley has been widely criticised as a miscalculation. Commentators suggest Taylor's position is now precarious, with the party facing an identity crisis as it loses ground in both urban and regional areas. The by-election saw One Nation overtake the Liberals, with major parties absent from the top two candidates for the first time in postwar history. Analyst Mark Kenny argues this signals a realignment of conservative politics, potentially normalising One Nation's influence. The article warns of broader implications for Australia's multicultural society, immigration policies, and commitment to non-discriminatory practices if populist forces gain further traction. It draws parallels with international examples where mainstream parties have united against extremism rather than appeasing it. The loss in Farrer, a safe regional seat, is seen as particularly damaging for the Coalition's future prospects and highlights voter discontent with the current Liberal leadership. Kenny positions the outcome as a depth charge under traditional party structures, urging principled Liberals to consider their options amid declining electoral fortunes.

In a significant shift in Australian politics, One Nation has won the Farrer by-election, delivering a major blow to the Liberals in what was previously Sussan Ley’s seat. The result highlights a broader realignment where voters are increasingly frustrated with the established political system and are turning to parties promising radical change. Angus Taylor’s response to the loss appeared outdated, focusing on traditional talking points about taxes and spending rather than addressing the deep discontent among voters who feel the system no longer works for them. This ‘burn it all down’ sentiment reflects widespread dissatisfaction, particularly in regional areas. The Nationals performed better than expected with 9.8 per cent of the primary vote, but the combined conservative vote was still far below previous levels. One Nation captured around 39 per cent of the vote, indicating strong support for Pauline Hanson’s party. The article notes that the Liberals lost nearly three-quarters of their voters from the previous election. Labor, which did not contest the seat to support an independent, should also take note of the changing voter mood. The piece suggests that the political landscape has undergone a permanent shift, and traditional parties like the Liberals must adapt by genuinely engaging with voter concerns rather than relying on old strategies. This by-election serves as a warning that no seat is truly safe anymore in modern Australian politics.