Sussan Ley's Retirement Triggers Farrer By-election
The federal electorate of Farrer in southwestern New South Wales is set to hold a by-election in 2026, following the announced retirement of long-serving Liberal MP Sussan Ley. Ley, who has represented Farrer since 2001, declared her intention to step down from parliament after losing the leadership of the Liberal Party on February 13, 2026.
Her departure marks the end of a significant political career, during which she held various ministerial portfolios, including Health and Environment, and served as the Leader of the Opposition from May 2025 until her recent defeat.
Liberal Leadership Shifts to Angus Taylor
The by-election in Farrer is a direct consequence of a leadership spill within the Liberal Party that saw Angus Taylor emerge as the new leader. On February 13, 2026, Taylor successfully challenged Ley, securing the leadership with 34 votes to Ley's 17. Jane Hume was subsequently elected as the Deputy Leader. This change places Taylor at the helm of the Liberal Party and as the new Leader of the Opposition.
The leadership contest followed a period of internal party discussions and comes nine months after Ley was elected as the first female leader of the Liberal Party.
A Contested Race for the Historically Conservative Seat
The upcoming Farrer by-election is anticipated to be a highly competitive event. Both the Liberal Party and the National Party have confirmed their intention to field candidates. This is notable as, under traditional Coalition agreements, the Nationals typically do not contest seats held by a sitting Liberal MP.
The electorate of Farrer, encompassing major regional centers such as Albury, Griffith, and Deniliquin, has historically been a safe conservative seat, held by either the Liberal or National parties since its creation in 1949. However, the contest is expected to be a 'four-cornered' battle, with strong challenges also anticipated from:
- Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who performed strongly in the 2025 federal election against Ley.
- Pauline Hanson's One Nation, which has also pledged to contest the seat.
The by-election will serve as an early electoral test for the new Liberal leadership under Angus Taylor. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has commented on the internal dynamics of the Liberal Party following the leadership change. The National Party Leader David Littleproud has indicated that a preference deal has been struck with the Liberals for the by-election.
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