Pauline Hanson’s protest movement won its first ever lower house seat in the Farrer by-election on Saturday. Labor didn’t contest it. What’s the scam?
The scam is how the self-declared ‘party of government’ decided not to contest the seat vacated by ousted Liberal leader, Sussan Ley. One can only assume that Labor didn’t want to explain away a drop in votes, but in the process showed Farrer voters how little they cared about them.
Labor has never held the seat once held by National’s Tim Fischer, but otherwise by Liberals. Quite likely, Labor would have had Buckley’s of winning it, but it did get 37% of the two-party preferred vote at last year’s election, and Labor’s preference flow may have led to a different outcome this time. However, Labor strategists probably read the tea leaves and instead relished the thought of another Liberal Party trashing.
In the minds of the current leading half of the Uniparty, that’s clearly most important.
Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Liberal stalwart and beacon of obtuse analysis, Jane Hume, from blaming Labor for the Liberals’ loss…
“I do think there has been a shift” – Liberal Party deputy leader Jane Hume says voters are angry and resentful, as early numbers show One Nation tracking to win the seat of Farrer, formerly held by Liberal Leader Sussan Ley. pic.twitter.com/Clsb8dRKfk
— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) May 9, 2026
Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned writer and commentator. He is passionate about free speech, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.