Overview
- Both Liberal and National how‑to‑vote cards place One Nation ahead of independent Michelle Milthorpe, with Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan describing the move as the least‑worst option.
- At the final candidates’ debate in Albury, Liberal candidate Raissa Butkowski said the ordering was a how‑to‑vote card “ease of reference” decision, drawing jeers from a largely pro‑Milthorpe audience.
- One Nation’s David Farley faces fresh scrutiny after reports he sought Labor preselection and previously praised Milthorpe on Facebook, as well as a recorded $52.55 donation to Voices for Farrer.
- Betting markets and a recent poll point to Farley as the front‑runner, though veteran analyst Barrie Cassidy cautions Farrer is hard to poll and the contest remains volatile.
- Senior Coalition figures say an independent win could lock the regional seat away for years, while a One Nation victory would be unusual for the party, which has held only one lower‑house seat before.