Farrer Contest Looms (updated)

The story of the forthcoming by-election for the Division of Farrer is interesting (to me). Here is a report

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-15/liberal-by-election-candidate-raissa-butkowski-farrer/106456908

(The list of "candidates" is included.)

Actually they are intending candidates. Even party pre-selected members for candidates. No candidates yet, the same as no Postal Votes! No candidates till form duly lodged with deposit.

It takes time to meet all requirements. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has to implement the legislation.

The officers have ample time and an easy task. The electorate is huge in extent but that has not changed. If there is competent local knowledge of ways and means it will not be hard to make certain every Farrer elector has the opportunity to vote.

When I resided there the AEC office was in Swift St, Albury (with the MP's office not far away). Assuming the DRO office location is the same, or similar, the administration of the election will be located at the extreme eastern end of the Division. Perhaps the AEC does decentralise and appoint Assistant Returning Officers in one or more of the major centres to the west. That would be desirable and sensible. (I have no knowledge of that.)

However, in the past the AEC has been strongly centralised and may try to manage matters from Canberra! Here is the data from the AEC website list of "Key Dates":

By-election announced  Thursday 5 March

Postal vote applications open  Thursday 5 March

Issue of writ Wednesday 1 April *

Close of rolls  8pm Wednesday 8 April

Close of nominations  Midday Monday 13 April

Declaration of nominations  Midday Tuesday 14 April

Early voting begins. Tuesday 28 April

Postal vote applications close. 6pm Wednesday 6 May

By-election day  Saturday 9 May

Return of writ  On or before Friday 10 July 

*AND - when do nominations OPEN?

Ah - check the Candidate page... here it is

Candidate nomination forms for the Farrer by-election are now available. Please note that *nominations may only be received by the AEC after the issue of the writ on 1 April. Nominations can be received from Thursday 2 April until the close of nominations at midday on Monday 13 April. 

The AEC website has full information: https://www.aec.gov.au/farrer/index.htm

Image: AEC website - a draw somewhere determining ballot paper order.

13/04/26 UPDATE: candidates close now

https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2026/04-09.htm

Yours sincerely

Allen Hampton

Coburg

achamptonmob@gmail.com