Farrer by-election a crucial test for major parties

Voters are heading to the polls in the seat of Farrer for a key byelection that could reshape federal politics.

* The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former opposition leader Sussan Ley, who left parliament after being appointed to the party’s top job by Angus Taylor in February.

* Ms Ley had held the seat since 2001; Farrer had been in Liberal or National hands since the electorate was formed in 1949.

* One Nation candidate David Farley is seen as the favorite to win the seat in Saturday’s by-election

* If he wins, it will be the first time One Nation has won seats in the House of Representatives

* Nationally, Pauline Hanson’s party is gaining ground against the coalition in opinion polls

* Mr Farley sparked controversy after it was revealed he had previously filed for Labor preselection in Farrer

* The coalition seized on Mr Farley’s political background by using it in attack ads, which led to an altercation in the pre-poll booth on Wednesday between a One Nation volunteer and Liberal senator James Paterson.

* The other favorite is independent Michelle Milthorpe, who is fighting for the seat for the second time.

* Ms Milthorpe came close to unseating Ms Ley in the 2025 election, winning almost 44 per cent of the preferred result over the two candidates

* The Liberals have pre-selected Albury councilor Raissa Butkowski for the seat, while the Nationals have chosen army veteran Brad Robertson.

* Liberals and Nationals senior figures admit they have an uphill battle to win the seat

* The Australian Electoral Commission said 36,000 people had voted in the pre-poll area ahead of the by-election as of Wednesday; that number was nearly 2,000 more than at the same point in the 2025 election