One Nation has achieved a major political breakthrough after winning the Farrer by-election, marking the party’s first-ever victory in the federal House of Representatives.
Candidate David Farley claimed a decisive win with more than 40 per cent of the primary vote, securing the seat by an estimated margin of around 9 per cent after preferences. The result ended nearly 80 years of Coalition control in the electorate and represented a significant setback for the Liberal and National parties in one of their long-standing strongholds.
Speaking after the victory, Mr Farley said voters across the electorate were demanding political change. He described One Nation as a party built on “courage and tenacity” and said his background in agriculture and community work connected strongly with local concerns.
The victory celebration was led by Pauline Hanson, who told supporters the party planned to challenge for more seats in future elections. She said One Nation aimed to represent ordinary Australians who felt ignored by major political parties.
Although One Nation has previously held Senate positions, the party had never before secured a lower house seat at the federal level. Ms Hanson herself was elected to parliament in 1996 after being disendorsed by the Liberal Party, but she later lost her seat in 1998.
The by-election produced a dramatic shift in voting patterns compared with the 2025 federal election. Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe increased her support to about 25 per cent of the primary vote, while Liberal and Nationals candidates received just over 11 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.
Coalition preference deals directing votes to One Nation ahead of the independent candidate were seen as a major factor in the final result. Liberal leader Angus Taylor defended the strategy, saying it reflected the wishes of voters in the electorate.
Mr Taylor admitted the result showed the Liberal Party needed to rethink its direction, describing the outcome as a “hard lesson”. He said concerns about migration, housing pressures, and economic challenges had contributed to growing frustration among voters.
Meanwhile, Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie indicated she would be open to working with One Nation in a future minority government if it helped remove the current Labor government from office.
The result signals growing dissatisfaction with Australia’s major parties and highlights the increasing influence of minor parties and independents in federal politics.