By Jack Arnold
One Nation’s Candidate Choice in the Farrer By-Election Raises Questions About Party Consistency
How does a party like PHONey (One Nation), which positions itself as representing “battlers” and regional working people, pre-select a candidate with a history of approaching multiple parties? The party’s leadership appears to favour candidates with established networks in agriculture and business – a choice that some see as sitting awkwardly with its traditional image.
In the Farrer by-election on 9 May 2026, PHONey has pre-selected David Farley, a 69-year-old retired agricultural consultant and former cotton industry manager from the Riverina. Farley has described his political journey as one of exploring options before finding a suitable home.
Reports indicate that Farley did not fully disclose his previous party engagements to PHONey during pre-selection. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he had been a member of the NSW Nationals, approached Labor about pre-selection (including against Sussan Ley), and publicly supported independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe in the 2025 federal election. Party figures, including “Puppet” Pauline (Hanson), Barnaby Joyce and James Ashby reportedly learned of aspects of this history from polling booth workers.
Observers note that Farley’s shift to PHONey may reflect the practical challenges faced by standalone independents in winning seats. He is expected to adapt to the party’s style and platform under Hanson’s leadership. While PHONey benefits from significant donations and resources, questions remain about how long such a candidate will align with the party’s direction.
In contrast, independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, a teacher and local advocate, performed strongly in 2025, reducing the Liberal margin in Farrer from around 10.9% to 6.2%. Her campaign emphasises practical local issues: securing a new regional hospital, addressing Murray-Darling Basin water allocation concerns (particularly impacts on the northern basin and cotton industry), and improving attraction and retention of teachers, nurses, and emergency staff through affordable housing and incentives. These priorities focus on family and community needs in the electorate.
Sceptics argue that Farley’s extensive experience in agribusiness may prioritise certain industry perspectives, and that the electorate has seen limited effective representation on key regional issues under previous MPs. Supporters of PHONey, however, highlight his deep agricultural expertise as an asset for Farrer.
Regional independents get things done for their communities.
Jack Arnold is a retired academic polymath who commenced his professional career as a research scientist and ended as a lawyer, with too many decades of education between. To stay busy he has taken an active interest in all levels of local New England politics for the past 50 years, assisting in the election of three progressive candidates, the latter two being very busy Independent representatives for their communities.
Since the retirement of these politicians in 2013, New England has stagnated economically and socially with pre-selected Nationals being elected to Parliaments in the strange local belief that voting for 19th century ideals would yield the new government infrastructure projects that our kids will need to live in the electorates in this 21st century.
Regional Independents get things done for their communities.
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Ambitious? Honest? Reliable? Parasitic? Unsuitable? Untrustworthy? The LOT? Farley could achieve NOUGHT here, considering Ley held high positions in govt. and opposition, knew everyone and everything relevant and got shafted as a local member low achiever. Farley is an ageing taker. Millthorpe seems least worst…
The dick Farley was born a quisling,probably a good fit.I don’t think he’s going to get up, but if he does,I give him about six weeks.With the hatchet faced broom jockey.
David Farley was CEO of the Australian Agricultural company between 2009 and 2013. He is very much connected to the large scale, corporate management sectors of agriculture and water management. His interests have included live animal transport to overseas markets. He has been a strong supporter of developing local investment pathways and opposed to having massive amounts of foreign investment and selling of companies such as Cubbie Station to Chinese buyers.
While I can see some logic in his latest connection with PHON, I dont see that party really having the clarity to support Farley in pursuing his interests.
David Fartley is a dickhead and hopefully, he won’t be the Member for Farrer, just a “member” (as in, dick).
solitions?
Hopefully, Nepean shows we are not stupid enough to follow the idiot crow supporters.
If he wins, the first thing Farley will do is quit PHON. If he loses, the first thing Farley will do is quit PHON.
One Nation’s voting history tells us the story of who they really care about, they’ve VOTED AGAINST:
❌ Same Job Same Pay,
❌ Making industrial manslaughter a criminal offence,
❌ More rights for workplace Delegates,
❌ Expanding the functions of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency to include silica,
❌ Stopping the permanent casual rort,
❌ A stronger definition of casual work,
❌ Better rights for gig economy workers,
❌ Making it easier for casual workers to become permanent,
❌ Decreasing the gender pay gap,
❌ Increasing access to subsidised childcare,
❌ Making TAFE education fee-free,
❌ Increasing housing affordability,
❌ Increasing workplace protections,
❌ Increasing trade union’s powers in the workplace.
Every policy One Nation has voted against directly affects ordinary Australians – which One Nation claims to represent. But they’re showing us they only really care about their billionaire friends and donors.
Thanks to Dan Repacholi for this data.