11/05/2026
The by-election result here in Farrer is heart-breaking, but not surprising.
Rural communities doing it tough after decades of neglect, by Labor and Liberal/National governments alike, are angry and desperate for change. The two-party political system has been resoundingly rejected.
I know that I am not the only person distressed to hear our new representative from One Nation’s first priority that “We’re not going to entertain people to come here and live off our balance sheet, our purse and give us nothing.” This region has a proud history of migration contributing to richer and more vibrant communities as well as providing essential skills in sectors like health care and agriculture. I hope that people feeling marginalised by the election result know that there are so many people in our community who see you, value you, and hope that you stay.
I’m so proud of the Greens and our brilliant candidate Richard Hendrie who didn’t hold back in calling out the real problems. People in our region can’t access the health and disability support they need, because of governments that have prioritised tax breaks for corporations and property investors, and following Trump into illegal wars. Rural communities are bearing the brunt of more floods, drought and fires because of climate change when mining billionaires continue to profit from their donations to political parties including One Nation.
We are smiling at our election party last night because we showed up this election to provide people with the choice to vote with their values, and to push back against the political narrative of division and hate, and that’s what we did. Movements like the Greens are bigger than any one seat in any one election cycle, and I can’t wait to keep working with all of you toward a better future for all of us. We would love for you to join us to be part of that conversation.