One Nation claims victory in Farrer byelection

One Nation has claimed victory in the federal seat of Farrer, marking a huge electoral blow for the coalition.

David Farley led the two candidates favored over his closest rival, independent Michelle Milthorpe, by about 60 percent to 40 percent as of 8 p.m.

He danced on stage with leader Pauline Hanson, who said “this isn’t just a win for Farrer, it’s a win for the rest of Australia”.

“Millions are watching on their TVs now and I believe it gives them hope … to get our country back,” she said.

After playing John Farnham’s You’re The Voice and a round of “Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi”, Farley told supporters he was humiliated.

“You listened, you agreed and you spoke tonight. So thank you, Farrer,” Farley said.

“We are like a mason with a chisel and a hammer and we are re-carving the letters of Australian democracy.

“One Nation has reached the end of its beginning, from here we will go through the ceiling.”

Hanson said she “brought a tear to my eye” when the Farrer result was called for One Nation.

“Until it’s called, you have no idea that I’ve been kind of sitting on eggshells… until it’s called, you really don’t understand the journey that I’ve been on,” she said.

Votes were still being counted, but projections pointed to a huge win for One Nation.

It is the first time a One Nation candidate has been directly elected to the House of Representatives, and the by-election is widely seen as a temperature check on voter dissatisfaction with the major parties, particularly Liberal voters in the Conservative heartland.

Voters have deserted the Liberal Party in large numbers in the seat of its former leader Sussan Ley.

It is the first time in Farrer’s 77-year history that it is not in the hands of the Liberal or National parties.

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