Sussan Ley to Resign Immediately

Sussan Ley has resigned from federal parliament on Feb. 27, triggering a by-election in the New South Wales seat of Farrer just weeks after losing the Liberal Party leadership.

In a statement, Ley said she had tendered her resignation, bringing to a close her 25-year career representing the regional electorate.

“This morning, I wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives to advise of my immediate resignation from the parliament as the Federal Member for Farrer,” Ley said.

“I shall not be returning for a valedictory speech. I am confident that my efforts and achievements will speak for themselves.”

Ley said stepping down was an emotional decision.

“Naturally, I am sad to no longer represent my electorate,” she said. “I love the wide western plains of New South Wales, the country towns along the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers and the thriving cities of Albury and Griffith; communities that it has been my enormous privilege to serve.”

A Four-Way Contest Emerging

Her departure sets up a four-cornered race between the Liberals, Nationals, One Nation, and a Climate 200-backed Teal independent.

At the 2025 federal election, Farrer had 123,752 enrolled voters. The seat was held by the Nationals from 1984 until 2001, when Ley secured it for the Liberals. She retained it comfortably at subsequent elections.

Even at the May 2025 election—widely regarded as the Liberals’ worst national performance—Ley held the seat by more than 12,000 votes.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has confirmed his party will contest the seat, setting up a rare contest between the Coalition partners in a seat long held by the Liberals.

However, the political landscape has shifted. Support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has risen in recent polling, raising questions about whether the party can convert momentum into a breakthrough result. Hanson confirmed local branch members would meet to choose a candidate and called for expressions of interest.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe—backed by Climate 200—is expected to recontest. At the last election, she recorded a 20 percent swing in her first campaign and finished second to Ley, fuelling speculation the Teal movement could gain further ground.

The by-election will serve as an early measure of the Liberal Party’s direction under new leadership and test whether its Coalition partner, One Nation and Teal independents can shift the balance in regional Australia.