The sitting government seems to be content leaving other parties to fight for Farrer, with Labor yet to enter the by-election race.

With increasing commentary in national and regional media that the party won’t even bother fielding a candidate, the Pastoral Times reached out for answers on Friday.

Our emails to the national secretary had elicited no response at the time of going to print yesterday.

We can therefore only assume the speculation is correct.

Last week, Financial Review political editor Phillip Coorey reported “Labor has resolved to stay out of the Farrer by-election in the hope its supporters will vote strategically to help stop One Nation winning the seat”.

“The decision not to contest was also based on the assumption Labor had no chance of winning the seat, which has been held by either the Nationals or the Liberals since its foundation in 1949,” Mr Coorey’s article continued.

Nominations for the election will not close until April 13.

Meanwhile, one other party which has previously contented Farrer has confirmed its play for the seat ... or not, in this case.

Instead of fielding his own candidate, well-known outspoken politician Bob Katter has instead pledged support for Independent Michelle Milthorpe.

“We must rescue Australia and the leadership must come from rural Australia,” Mr Katter said in a statement released on Sunday.

“The real leadership in this country has always come from rural Australia.”

Of Mrs Milthorpe, Mr Katter said: “Michelle’s taken some hard hits and she’s a tough operator, and she’s very knowledgeable”.

In the 2025 Farrer election, Mrs Milthorpe came second to the Liberal Party’s Sussan Ley with a primary vote of 20 per cent.

She launched her by-election campaign within hours of Ms Ley losing her position as Leader of the Opposition, and subsequently leading to her decision to leave politics altogether, in February.

Except Labor, all other major parties have a hat in the ring for Farrer.

The Liberals will seek to retain the seat with Albury-based councillor and lawyer Raissa Butkowski.

While historically a staunch Coalition strong-hold - leading to Ms Ley’s 25-year tenure - the Liberals will have to contend with The Nationals at this by election.

Its candidate is retired Army Colonel Brad Robertson, also from the Albury area.

But most political commentators and local voters say both parties will need to prove themselves against Ms Milthorpe and One Nation’s candidate David Farley if they want to win Farrer.

The Greens and Family First are both re-contesting Farrer with their 2025 candidates - Richard Hendrie and Rebecca Scriven, respectively.

The ABC’s Farrer by-election page yesterday also listed another Independent candidate as a contender.

It reported Jordi Queiruga is a research economist with the Productivity Commission and attended school in Albury.

Water policy, health and the cost of living crisis are all shaping up to be major policy points for candidates as the fight for Farrer continues.

The election will be held on May 9.

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Friday, 13th February 2026

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