One Nation aim to snatch former Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley’s seat in NSW Riverina region; independent Michelle Millthorpe set to fight

Today is the first by-election of the 48th parliament, triggered by the resignation of former opposition leader Sussan Ley.

Ley held the seat for almost 25 years after defeating former deputy prime minister and National Party leader Tim Fischer.

After holding a series of ministerial and shadow ministerial posts, Ley rose to the position of opposition leader following the Coalition’s disastrous defeat in the 2025 election, which saw then-Liberal leader Peter Dutton lose his seat.

The Opposition’s first female leader has had a turbulent time in the top job and was sacked by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor with less than a year left in her term. Shortly after losing the February leadership election to the incumbent, Ley announced his resignation, refraining from making a farewell speech to the House of Representatives.

This triggered today’s by-election amid growing support for One Nation and the Liberal and National parties’ swinging lead vote in the polls.