One Nation reveals three-way contest for Farrer candidacy

Pauline Hanson has announced One Nation will stage a three-way contest in Farrer to determine its candidate for the upcoming by-election.

Senator Hanson claimed there had been “overwhelming” interest in potential candidates wanting to stand for Farrer.

“There’s been a tremendous effort by our party reviewing more than 80 applications in such a short time, and the contest has now come down to a final three,” she said.

“I acknowledge and thank everyone who put their hand up.”

David Farley, Leigh Wolki and Guy Cooper will contest the Farrer candidacy in a One Nation preselection meeting at the Albury Convention Centre from 9am on March 7.

Triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Sussan Ley, the contest for the rural NSW electorate will be tight, with One Nation, the Liberals and Nationals, as well as Climate-200 backed independent Michelle Milthorpe, set to fight for the lower house seat.

Mr Farley is a Narrandera-based agribusiness professional who has expertise in water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin.

A Farrer resident for almost four decades, Ms Wolki is a small-business owner with a background in agriculture.

Mr Cooper is a fifth-generation farmer who works in agribusiness.

“Leigh, Guy and David are all dedicated locals who understand what makes Farrer tick,” Senator Hanson said.

“They know what’s at stake for the residents, businesses and industries of their communities at this by-election.

“The eyes of the entire nation will be on the outcome in Farrer.”

Ms Ley resigned as the member for Farrer on Friday after losing a leadership spill earlier this month.

She has backed a Liberal MP taking over from her decades-long role as the local member.

But Ms Milthorpe told reporters at a press conference in Albury that the contest should be about “the best person for the job”.

“I don’t think gender should play out in this,” when asked about Ms Ley’s exit as one of the few female Liberal MPs in the lower house.

“It’s really about listening and making sure that (the) message is going through to parliament,” Ms Milthorpe said.

“I don’t like the way that (Sussan Ley) had been treated by her party

“It was just an example of why it is that we don’t want that party politics here anymore.”