Michelle Milthorpe says she is keen to spend more time in places in Wentworth this time around. Photo: Supplied.
When Michelle Milthorpe’s father died just days before the 2025 federal election, some accused her of making it up for publicity.
“On polling day, people sarcastically asked, ‘How’s your dad?’ It’s tough when my kids see that,” she said.
The campaign marked a bruising introduction to politics for the 46-year-old Jindera teacher. Yet she came closer than anyone had in more than two decades to unseating Liberal incumbent Sussan Ley, who has held the seat since 2001. Just nine months later, Ms Milthorpe is preparing to run again, following Ms Ley’s impending resignation from parliament and the ensuing by-election.
The mother of three is no stranger to difficult battles. She rose to national attention after her daughters were sexually assaulted by a family friend in 2013. Confronted with a court system that re-traumatises victims, she spearheaded the Justice Shouldn’t Hurt campaign, pushing for reform. The changes she helped secure allow children to pre-record evidence and have advocates present, rather than being interrogated alone in open court.
Region spoke to Ms Milthorpe about the upcoming campaign, the issues she wants to tackle, competition from Helen Dalton and One Nation, the “teal” label often attached to her name, and whether rural Australia really does lack good coffee.
How do you feel about fighting another election so soon after the last one?
I have two thoughts. The first is that it’s exciting we have a prospect for change. The second is: will I ever be able to sleep again?
I left my job on Monday and I’ll now be getting out and about.
How will you get around an electorate bigger than Ireland? Do you have a plane like Sussan Ley?
No, my budget doesn’t quite stretch to that.
I’ll be driving everywhere, which is tough because a lot of the electorate doesn’t have proper mobile phone service. That’s a challenge — I can’t work while I’m in the car.
Is that something you want to address?
Absolutely. Telecommunications are dire.
My husband is in the RFS. A few weeks ago they knew there had been a car accident, but emergency services couldn’t find where it was.
I live 12 kilometres out of Albury and I used to have to go outside and stand in my paddock just to get a decent connection.
What other issues are you targeting?
Childcare. It’s inaccessible in a cost-of-living crisis.
If you’re a doctor or teacher who wants to move to a rural area and you can’t get childcare, then you don’t move. The flow-on effect is significant.
For people outside Albury, the most important issue is water mismanagement, which is an absolute farce.
We need to stop water buybacks. There’s none left to buy. I’ve recently heard from someone who had to sell his farm after selling his water.
If you tell people in Sydney that a farmer in Griffith has to buy his water from a Canadian super fund, they’re shocked. I would absolutely back Helen Dalton’s call for a water royal commission.
Michelle Milthorpe and her daughter Rose, who helped her change court processes for child sexual assault victims. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Helen Dalton is still considering whether to run. Would you prefer she did or didn’t?
I look at Helen Dalton and see someone making noise and being heard at a state level.
I think we need an effective state independent and an effective federal independent, because the major parties are too busy fighting each other to worry about our towns.
Has One Nation asked you to run with them?
I’ve had a few emails, but it’s not something I would consider.
I understand people are frustrated and disenfranchised. We don’t have an alternative government. When people start blaming others for these things, you do start to listen.
But I would challenge the people of Farrer to think about our communities. We have a large migrant population. We wouldn’t have healthcare workers or farm workers without immigration.
You’ve spoken about fixing problems at Albury and Griffith hospitals. But isn’t health a state issue?
Albury hospital is the only cross-border service in Australia and it needs federal oversight. We have two state governments blaming each other.
I think it’s a disgrace that the Victorian Government won’t provide funding for Albury hospital, but they’ve got a billion dollars to upgrade the MCG.
In Griffith, you’ve got a brand-new hospital and people are still going to Wagga to get their bones reset. The Federal Government can’t just throw its hands in the air and say it’s a state issue. It has a responsibility to ensure a decent standard of health care for all Australians.
But the major parties say you need to be in government to make a difference
I don’t think they can say that anymore. They haven’t been doing their job.
Successive governments have failed our electorates. They’re too focused on fighting amongst themselves.
You’re often described as a “teal” or linked to Climate 200 and Simon Holmes a Court. Is that fair?
I think it’s unfair. I don’t have one donor.
There are about 33,000 people who donate to Climate 200 — it’s essentially a GoFundMe page that happens to have a name people don’t like. Everyone can see what was spent on my campaign last time.
I think it would be good if people reported that the Liberal Party spent, on average, $1.3 million per electorate, and the Labor Party more than a million.
I’d like to see people scrutinise where every candidate gets their funding, not just me.
Michelle Milthorpe says she has learned from her 2025 defeat. Photo: Supplied.
How are you different from the so-called teal independents?
Our region and electorate are completely different to those inner-city seats.
I’ve never met Simon Holmes a Court or those teal independents. Our thinking wouldn’t align on some things. They don’t recognise the burden renewable energy places on regional areas, or that stripping water from productive use and putting it into the environment without safeguards is harming our communities.
They don’t know that — but they do work hard for their electorates, just as I would.
Finally, Jane Hume said she wouldn’t live in a National Party area because she’s too fond of good coffee. How do you rate coffee in the Riverina?
I’ve never had better coffee than when I’m in Griffith.
Every town in Farrer has great coffee somewhere. Jane Hume just needs to get out more.
