David Farley claims victory alongside Pauline Hanson on Saturday night. Photo: NSW One Nation.
Are you wondering whether most of your neighbours voted for One Nation’s David Farley or independent Michelle Milthorpe at the Farrer by-election?
The polling place breakdown revealed a striking political divide across a sprawling electorate bigger than Scotland.
Mr Farley won the election comfortably, securing almost 40 per cent of the primary vote compared with 28 per cent for Ms Milthorpe. On a two-candidate preferred basis, he prevailed 57 to 43.
The independent dominated the major urban centre of Albury, while Mr Farley swept through most of the smaller rural towns and villages, winning by more than 50 per cent in places such as Blighty, Bundure, Widgiewa, Tullibigeal and Pooncarie.
But Griffith broke the “small town versus big town” pattern. Despite being the electorate’s second-largest regional city, the area backed One Nation heavily and proved decisive in propelling Mr Farley into parliament.
Overall, the One Nation candidate finished first in more than 70 booths across Farrer, while Ms Milthorpe won 13.
The Liberals failed to top the primary vote at a single polling place — an extraordinary collapse in support after outgoing MP Sussan Ley had held the seat comfortably for 25 years.
Griffith
One Nation won eight of the 10 Griffith-area polling places, dominating in surrounding villages and comfortably securing the highest primary vote by far in Yoogali, Yenda, Lake Wyangan, Beelbangera, Hanwood and Goolgowi.
Closer to the CBD, the contest tightened considerably. Ms Milthorpe narrowly won Griffith Public and Griffith North — her only polling place victories outside the Albury region.
However, Mr Farley still secured strong results at Griffith East and Wiradjuri Place, ensuring the city overall broke towards One Nation.
The result was particularly notable for the multicultural town, where support for Labor and independents has historically been higher than in the surrounding farming communities. This time, however, One Nation’s message on cost of living, immigration and frustration with the major parties appeared to resonate strongly across both the city and nearby irrigation districts.
David Farley, pictured with local farmer Jo Brighenti, spent a lot of time in Griffith during the campaign. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Albury
Albury emerged as the clear heartland for Ms Milthorpe.
She won almost every polling place in the area, including Albury, Albury Central, Albury East, Albury West and Thurgoona.
Lavington East was one of the few exceptions, with Mr Farley narrowly edging ahead there.
The results reinforced the sharp contrast between Albury and much of the rest of Farrer, with the independent performing strongest in larger, more affluent and university-connected communities.
Had she been able to replicate her Albury results in Griffith, she would have won easily.
Leeton
Leeton broke towards One Nation, but not as much as the surrounding small towns did.
At the 2025 federal election, Labor had performed strongly in parts of the town. But with no Labor candidate contesting the by-election, many of those votes appeared to shift heavily towards One Nation rather than the independent.
Mr Farley finished well ahead across the Leeton district, underlining One Nation’s growing appeal in irrigation communities grappling with rising costs, water insecurity and dissatisfaction with the major parties.
Deniliquin
Ms Milthorpe performed competitively in Deniliquin at the 2025 federal election and previously carried one local polling place.
But this time, One Nation dominated the region, recording large swings and comfortably leading across the district.
The result reflected a broader trend throughout western Farrer, where smaller agricultural communities swung heavily behind Mr Farley.
Far West
The far west of the electorate delivered some of One Nation’s strongest numbers of the night.
Mr Farley recorded commanding victories in towns stretching from Balranald to Wentworth, often securing enormous margins in isolated rural communities. Hay and Hillston also heavily backed Pauline Hanson’s party.
In several small centres, One Nation polled above 60 per cent of the primary vote, highlighting the scale of the anti-establishment swing that swept through the electorate.
