‘Wipe them out’: Independent Farrer candidate lashes preference deal as Coalition backs One Nation
Liberals and Nationals to choose One Nation over independent Michelle Milthorpe in Farrer by-election; it was a move that Climate 200-backed candidate Pauline Hanson claimed was motivated by fears that her party would “destroy them”.
Ms Milthorpe and One Nation candidate David Farley are seen as frontrunners in the race for the seat over former opposition leader Sussan Ley, who announced earlier this year that she would quit parliament after a leadership battle.
The flow of preferences is expected to be very significant, with both the Liberal and National parties also fielding candidates.
On Wednesday Ms Milthorpe criticized the Coalition for choosing One Nation following the strong performance of Senator Hanson’s right-wing populist party in last month’s South Australian election.
“I voted for Sussan Ley in every election except the last one. I grew up in Cootamundra in a National voting family. My mother watches Sky News. I greatly admired Tim Fischer,” he said.
“I can easily imagine us running under the Liberals or Nationals banner if we hadn’t been so let down by successive governments in the regions.
“But I decided to run as an independent because for decades parties have acted in their own interests, not in the interests of our community.”
Ms Milthorpe said the Coalition “made a deal with One Nation because they were worried One Nation would wipe them out”.
“We will never know what One Nation offered the Liberal/National Parties to reach this agreement, but what we do know is that this is not about Farrer. This is a decision made for the good of the Coalition, not for the good of our community,” he said.
“I swear every day to fight for the people of Farrer and only the people of Farrer. My One Nation opponent will have to vote with the party boss every time.
Queensland.
“The parties aren’t listening to us, so I think most voters will return the favor by not listening to their suggestions on who to vote for.”
According to the website, Liberal candidate Raissa Butkowski instructed voters to put her first, while National candidate Brad Robertson came second and Mr. Farley came fourth.
Mr. Farley, too, was instructing voters to put Mr. Robertson second and Ms. Butkowski third, according to his website.
Mr Farley urged voters to put Ms Milthorpe second to last in the 11th.
National Leader Matt Canavan, who is active in Farrer, said in a social media post: “There is so much irrationality being spread about electoral choices in Farrer.
“But local news reported it correctly.
“The Nationals prefer One Nation over the teal-backed candidate because he is backed by people who support net zero and water buyback.”
The deal comes after weeks of pressure on Senator Hanson, firebrand MP and former National Barnaby Joyce over the party’s reinstatement of convicted rapist Sean Black.
