Key Takeaways
- David Farley, the One Nation candidate for the Farrer byelection, actively engaged with the grassroots “Voices of Farrer” independent movement in 2023‑2024, discussing joint platforms, preference deals and even buying a ticket to one of their events.
- Despite this outreach, Voices ultimately endorsed community independent Michelle Milthorpe, who narrowly retained the seat for the Liberals in the 2022‑2025 election cycle.
- Farley’s political résumé shows a fluid trajectory: he approached Labor about running in 2022, praised Milthorpe (and criticized former Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley) in 2025, and later joined One Nation after describing his search for a party that matches his values.
- One Nation’s spokesperson framed Farley’s moves as a common “journey” of voters disillusioned with the major parties, while opponents highlighted his shifting affiliations in campaign material.
- At a public forum, Farley defended his party‑hopping, argued that independents lack the machinery needed to succeed in Canberra, and remarked that democracy belongs in an active “gymnasium” rather than a museum.
Engagement with the Voices of Farrer Movement
David Farley’s involvement with the Voices of Farrer independent network began well before the 2025 byelection. In early 2024 he texted a Voices coordinator proposing a shared “Farrer platform” for both a NSW federal Senate run and the seat of Farrer, indicating his willingness to collaborate on policy and strategy. The coordinator’s response shows Farley was keen to align his campaign with the grassroots group’s community‑driven agenda, which emphasizes local issues and independent representation.
Details of Correspondence and Preference Talks
Beyond the initial outreach, Farley exchanged emails in February 2024 in which he wrote, “Would welcome discussion when we meet Tuesday on the proposed management of preferences, whose and how to secure them.” This demonstrates that he was not merely seeking informal advice but was actively negotiating how preference flows could be managed between his potential candidacy and the Voices slate. Such talks suggest Farley viewed the Voices movement as a possible vehicle to boost his electoral prospects through coordinated preferencing.
Event Participation and Financial Support
Records from a ticketing site reveal that Farley reserved a ticket to the Voices of Farrer event titled “Gathering In Griffith,” held in September 2023, and added a modest donation. Although he later notified organizers that conflicting meetings prevented his attendance, he expressed interest in meeting the team “in the near future.” This gesture underscores his effort to embed himself within the Voices network, even if his physical participation was limited.
Background of the Voices Movement
The Voices movement operates as a nationwide grassroots initiative designed to identify and support local independent candidates for federal office. Inspired by Cathy McGowan’s successful 2013 challenge to Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella in the electorate of Indi, Voices groups have aided the election of community independents such as Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Nicolette Boele and Sophie Scamps. Some Voices‑backed candidates have also received funding from Climate 200, a political action committee focused on climate‑conscious independents.
Farley’s Political History Prior to One Nation
Before aligning with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, Farley’s political résumé displayed notable fluidity. The Nine newspapers reported that he had approached the Labor Party about standing as a candidate in the 2022 federal election. Following the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley—which triggered the Farrer byelection—Farley publicly endorsed Michelle Milthorpe’s bid to unseat Ley, describing her on Facebook as a “straight shooter, good woman.” These actions illustrate his willingness to work across party lines before settling on One Nation.
One Nation’s Response to Farley’s Journey
When contacted for comment, a One Nation spokesperson did not dispute the evidence of Farley’s interactions with Voices or his earlier political overtures. Instead, the spokesperson framed his trajectory as a typical voter journey: “Most Australians have a history of voting or supporting other political parties throughout their life.” The statement added that many One Nation supporters have arrived after feeling abandoned by Labor and the Coalition, and welcomed Farley as someone who “put Australia first” after his own search for a values‑aligned party.
Campaign Attacks on Milthorpe and Farley’s Allegiances
Opponents seized on Farley’s past to undermine both his candidacy and that of Michelle Milthorpe. One Nation campaign material highlighted Milthorpe’s connections to Climate 200, with Pauline Hanson labeling her a “fake independent.” Simultaneously, Nationals’ corflutes depicted Farley wearing a Labor T‑shirt, and Facebook videos portrayed him as a political chameleon, emphasizing his perceived inconsistency. These attacks aimed to question the authenticity of his current One Nation allegiance.
Farley’s Defence of His Party‑Hopping at CSU Forum
At a candidate forum hosted by Charles Sturt University, Farley did not retreat from his shifting affiliations. He explained that he had “explored the path of independents… and looked at, can you go into Canberra as an independent without the machinery behind you? And I said no.” This reflection reveals his belief that running as a true independent lacks the organisational support necessary to compete effectively, prompting him to seek a party structure.
Comments on Immigration and Party Fit
During the same CSU forum, Farley appeared to diverge from One Nation’s hard‑line stance on immigration, stating that he found the party’s current net overseas migration number acceptable—a position more aligned with Labor’s policy. He also said he “culturally didn’t fit” in the Labor party and “got out of the door,” reinforcing his narrative of searching for a philosophical home rather than merely chasing electoral advantage.
Closing Remarks on Democracy and Public Service
Farley concluded his public remarks with a metaphorical call to action: “It’s 2026. Democracy doesn’t live in a museum, it actually lives in a gymnasium, it’s active … where you place your energies for public service needs to be matched and aligned.” By framing democracy as an active, participatory endeavor, he sought to position his candidacy—despite its chequered past—as a genuine attempt to contribute to vigorous civic engagement rather than a stagnant, symbolic gesture.