<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sussan-ley-quitting-politics-resigning-from-parliament-what-next/952b10c9-e8e5-4b46-b967-5b31f7db725a" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sussan Ley's resignation"><span>Sussan Ley's resignation</span></a><span> will trigger a hotly contested byelection in her long-held seat of Farrer, giving new Liberal leader </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-party-leadership-spill-angus-taylor-defeats-sussan-ley/e02a6189-6fb5-4262-af53-7c5acea1c826" rel="" target="_blank" title="Angus Taylor"><span>Angus Taylor</span></a><span> an early test following months of dire polls for the party.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The outgoing opposition leader has (mostly) comfortably held the rural southern </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/federal-election" rel="" target="_blank" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> seat for 25 years and nine straight federal elections – the second-longest tenure in the electorate's history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Liberal Party's charmed run in Farrer could come to an end as voters head to the polls for what is predicted to be a messy contest, after the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pauline-hanson-policies-stance-on-immigration-housing-voting-record-explained/1a21d57d-cddd-4ba5-b1ce-0b564e205b79" rel="" target="_blank" title="surging One Nation"><span>surging One Nation</span></a><span> threw its hat into the ring.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-party-leadership-spill-what-lies-ahead-for-angus-taylor-after-successful-challenge-charles-croucher/f65881f4-c845-491f-b314-8df9987f9ad6" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Ticking time bomb' sitting under Angus Taylor's desk"><strong><span>'Ticking time bomb' sitting under Angus Taylor's desk</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The result – as well as that of the upcoming South Australian state election – could end up being an early hurdle for Taylor and the embattled party, or signal sunnier days ahead.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"(Taylor) has to get the team together," 9news political editor Charles Croucher said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Don't rule out things getting worse for the Liberal Party before they get better."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/farrer-byelection-2026-date-candidates-and-everything-we-know-so-far-explained/2bac35b3-1581-473b-8ad9-e528ced802e9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ley's electorate has existed since 1949, but its current borders were drawn in 2016.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It comprises councils including Albury, Berrigan, Griffith and Leeton.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Nationals have not contested the seat since Ley bested them in 2001 to become the local MP, but the junior Coalition partner may now take a run at the electorate alongside the Liberals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yesterday, Taylor refused to answer questions over which of the Liberals or Nationals – or both – will put forward a candidate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know it'll be tough," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know that because when we get out and about around Australia, the polls, we see the loss of confidence that there has been in the Liberal Party, and we've got to restore that confidence."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/angus-taylor-liberal-party-leader-political-career-explainer/74c64efb-e06a-4d9b-b988-242a51b69bcc" rel="" target="_blank" title="Who is Angus Taylor? The Rhodes Scholar's rise to new Liberal leader"><strong><span>Who is Angus Taylor? The Rhodes Scholar's rise to new Liberal leader</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He confirmed a conversation has taken place with Nationals leader David Littleproud, but did not say if a decision had been reached.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even if only one of the Coalition parties puts forward a candidate, it could still prove a close contest.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe was unsuccessful in her attempt to unseat Ley at the last election, winning 20 per cent of the primary vote, and falling short in the two-party preferred stakes by a little over 6 per cent – Ley's lowest margin since winning the seat in 2001.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Milthorpe has confirmed she will run again this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For too long, the people of Farrer have been left wanting," she said yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Party politics too often gets in the way of practical outcomes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our communities deserve a reliable and relatable representative; someone who listens, understands our regional context, and is prepared to do the work in Canberra to make policy better reflect life in rural and regional Australia."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pauline Hanson flagged One Nation will also put forward a candidate following the party's recent boost in the polls.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/angus-taylor-social-media-facebook-post-old-blunder-coming-back-to-haunt-him/bea9a512-565f-4205-a093-49b2dd742536" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Delighted': Angus Taylor laughs off social media faux pas"><strong><span>'Delighted': Angus Taylor laughs off social media faux pas</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"One Nation will soon select a candidate for Farrer, and we are calling on strong, community-minded locals to step forward," Hanson said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Farrer deserves an active, visible, and reliable representative, someone who will stand up for local families, farmers, small businesses, and communities in Canberra."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One Nation candidate Emma Hicks collected 6.6 per cent of the primary vote in the previous federal election.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's unlikely Labor will contest the byelection given the party has not achieved a quarter of the primary vote since the 2007 federal election, </span><a href="https://antonygreen.com.au/will-the-coalition-face-messy-by-election-in-sussan-leys-seat-of-farrer/" rel="" target="_blank" title="said former ABC election analyst Antony Green"><span>said former ABC election analyst Antony Green</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[It is] more likely Labor would sit out the contest and leave the field free for a conservative slugfest," Green said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Glen Hyde was the ALP candidate for Farrer last year, and only secured 15.1 per cent of the vote in 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/meet-the-team/digital/april-glover#:~:text=Urgent%20deadline%20looms%20for%20thousands%20like%20Justin%20owed%20share%20in%20%24475m" rel="" target="_blank" title="Urgent deadline looms for thousands like Justin owed share in $475m"><strong><span>Urgent deadline looms for thousands like Justin owed share in $475m</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Taylor also has about 18 months to turn things around for the Coalition before the build-up to next federal election begins in earnest.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What the party room has proven in the last nine months is it's not one for patience," Croucher said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Andrew Hastie remains nipping at his heels, he has to show change quickly to get himself to the next election. After that, it will depend on the result."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hastie was shaping as another major leadership contender but withdrew from contention at the end of January.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>