Popular NSW MP Helen Dalton has confirmed Pauline Hanson has approached her to run as a One Nation candidate for the seat of Farrer. Photo: Supplied.
NSW Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has confirmed Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party has approached her to run as their candidate for the soon-to-be vacant federal seat of Farrer, which covers Griffith, Albury and surrounds.
A by-election is looming in this electorate after the current MP, Sussan Ley, announced she would retire from politics after she was deposed as Liberal Party leader by Hume MP Angus Taylor last week.
This sets up what could be an intriguing battle, with the Liberals and Nationals likely to run against each other and One Nation looking for a big-name signing as it surges in national polls.
“I can confirm that Helen Dalton has been in discussions with Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce regarding the Farrer by-election,” Mrs Dalton’s spokesperson told Region.
“Helen will always put the needs and interests of her electorate first.”
Ms Dalton said last week she was still considering whether or not to run for the federal seat. If she chooses to do so, she would first need to resign from her state seat, which would trigger another by-election in Murray. She could also run as an independent.
A One Nation spokesman also told Region his party has expressed interest in Ms Dalton.
“I can confirm that One Nation has spoken to Helen Dalton and that she’s not the only person we have spoken to,” the spokesman said.
“We have spoken to several high-profile people within the Farrer electorate, but we are not making any announcements about the actual candidate that will run for One Nation at this time.”
The Daily Telegraph has reported that One Nation also approached Narrandera businessman David Farley and Griffith winery supremo Darren De Bortoli, with the latter turning down their offer. Both men have campaigned against the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and have sought a better deal for irrigators in the region.
Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who came second in Farrer in the 2025 federal election, has also announced she will run in the by-election.
While an agreement between the Liberals and Nationals prevents them from running against sitting Coalition MPs, all bets are off if the seat is vacant.
The Liberals have indicated they will run, with Albury state MP Justin Clancy reportedly considering being their candidate. He would also need to resign from state parliament if he did so, creating yet another by-election.
The Nationals held the seat through former leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer from 1984 to 2001. Ms Ley claimed the seat for the Liberals in 2001. The Nationals are likely to run a candidate but have not yet made an announcement.
Ms Dalton said she will listen to the people before deciding what to do.
“I understand that the people of my region want their voices to be heard, and whatever I decide to do, I will be doing it to make sure their voices are a lot louder,” she said.
“While the calls for me to run are heartfelt, I need to make sure that whatever I do, it will give the people of my region the best possible representation.
“That might be in federal politics, or it might be in state politics.”
The date for the Farrer by-election will be announced in the coming weeks. It’s expected to be held before June 2025.
