The sun is setting over Aubry as a key
moment in the Farah bi-election campaign
begins.
Backstage, the candidates are getting
ready for a high pressure debate.
Welcome everybody to Charles University.
Everybody here in the theater
>> 12 are in the race but two are receiving
the most attention.
We need to be looking after ourselves
first here in this country.
>> Independent Michelle Milorp came second
in Farah at the federal election last
year. One Nation candidate David Farley
is considered her toughest competition.
>> I understand the engine room of Farah
and I understand it well.
>> Labor isn't running in this rural
electorate where issues affecting
farmers have been front and center.
>> The reality is Australia can't afford
net zero.
>> I think it's untenable for us to think
that we can get there by 20 2050.
The Liberals and Nationals have boosted
the chances of a One Nation win,
directing preferences to David Farley
over the community independent. A move
that could backfire if it helps the
minor party increase momentum or if it
proves unpopular among traditional
coalition supporters. I want to talk
about preferences now and we'll start uh
with with you Roser and as to why the um
uh the Liberal Party chose to preference
One Nation ahead of Michelle Milford for
example
>> in terms of preferencing it it it really
was um
it it just it was just for ease of
reference in terms of our how to vote
card and that's just the reality.
Farah is the second largest electorate
in New South Wales. It was held by
former Liberal leader Susan Lee for 25
years before she quit parliament in
February.
Now the coalition is at risk of losing
the seat for the first time in its
history.
Pauline Hansen's most high-profile
recruit has been lending his personal
popularity to David Farley's campaign.
>> So good to see you.
>> Nationally, support for One Nation has
climbed since the former Nationals
leader Barnaby Joyce joined its ranks.
>> How much do you think you have to do
with that?
>> Yeah, I did my bit. You know, you can do
faux, you know, faux humility. Oh, it's
nothing. No, it was it was a bit about
reason by me because I think people he
gave them license and people said well
if he can change I can change and now
sudden
>> the one nation candidate has also had
changes of heart. He previously sought
pre-elelection for labor prompting
critics to question his long-term
loyalty.
>> This specimen is David Farley a
political chameleon who changes colors
to suit himself. Can you guarantee that
if you get into parliament with One
Nation that you will stick with One
Nation in Parliament?
>> Yeah, I'm I'm I'm more than comfortable.
One Nation uh will will change the
democracy on the 9th.
>> If David did get in with One Nation and
defected to the crossbench, would you be
bothered by that?
>> Of course. Yeah. I mean, of course I'd
be bothered by that. But I, you know, I
I can I look at him and say this
person's not going to do it.
>> How about you? Last year, David Farley
publicly praised his now rival, Michelle
Milthorp. The independent candidate has
been labeled a teal by political
opponents due to donations she's
received from climate 200. If you look
at my policies and positions, you can
see that they don't align with those of
the te independents.
Aubry has a proud place in Liberal
history. This is where the party's
governing body was formed in 1944.
Raza Picusky has the tough task of
trying to hold on to Farah for the
Liberals.
>> It's an unusual race because the two
considered front runners are obviously
not from the major parties. Why do you
think that's happened here?
>> I in terms of the two front runners, um
I'm I'm not looking at polls. I think
they generally are not reflective of
reality um quite often. But the reality
is the party is desperately trying to
rebuild and win back Australian voters
who've been abandoning it in droves.
You've come in at a tough time for the
coalition.
>> Does that make your job harder?
>> No. Um I enjoy a challenge.
>> At a Saturday farmers market near Aubry,
the produce is fresh and locals
friendly. Hello.
>> Are you a local celeb?
>> He sure is.
Ross Files is a flower farmer. He can't
vote in the bi-election because he lives
on the Victorian side of the border, but
he'll be watching the result closely.
I think the political climate's
changing. I voted Liberal for the past
50 years, and this is the first time
I've ever considered voting for another
party, and the One Nation is the party
that I would vote for.
From Aubry to the multicultural farming
community of Griffith, many voters told
7:30 they wanted change.
>> Last time I voted for Liberal and this
time I've been voted for independent.
>> Major groups have had things for too
long. Time to put someone through the
hen house and clean them out.
>> Some people are promoting the
multiculturalism. So that's why I just
uh vote for that person.
Father Peter is an Anglican priest and
community figure who was torn over who
to vote for.
>> Inside this historic mansion, he's
hosted many political guests from both
sides of politics. This week, he's
invited Pauline Hansen to tea.
>> So, Pauline Hansen might be sitting
around this table in the days ahead.
>> Well, I'm hoping so. I'll probably
There's always room in the, you know, a
bit more in the pot. The longtime
Liberal supporter is questioning his
loyalty to the party after it dumped
Susan Lee as leader.
>> Will this be the first election that you
voted in where you're not sure if you'll
vote Liberal?
>> Well, I've certainly been
less sure uh now than I've ever been
before.
>> And do you think that the the chaos that
we saw in the coalition um after the
last election is the reason people in
this electorate have been turning to One
Nation? Well, they say that One Nation
is the is the party of protest, and I
think people have a lot of reasonable
things to protest about. If you've got a
car that continually breaks down, uh,
then you do need to think about either
getting a new engine or getting out of
walking. And I think a lot of people are
getting out of walking.