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One Nation MP David Farley has fuelled hypothesis about his future in Pauline Hanson’s social gathering after unintentionally strolling into a personal assembly of greater than 20 Liberal MPs – then telling them he may see himself sitting with them.
The extraordinary encounter occurred in Parliament Home final Wednesday when Farley wandered into a daily assembly of Liberal MPs from marginal seats. A number of Liberals current mentioned the Farrer MP took some time to understand he was within the incorrect room earlier than turning to go away.
“I may see myself sitting right here,” Farley advised the MPs, earlier than strolling out.
“We had been all stunned, to be trustworthy,” one Liberal MP mentioned. “It was a really unfastened factor to say.”
Farley confirmed the incident on Monday, however portrayed it as an informal joke after unintentionally coming into the room.
He mentioned the Liberal MPs had a “who-hit-John” look on their faces, silent with their mouths open, earlier than he “crammed the empty area with my quip” and left.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie mentioned Farley was at the moment a member of One Nation “however actually let’s see what the long run holds”.
“He’s a good fellow, I’ve met him a few instances,” Hastie advised ABC’s 7.30.
The comment comes at an ungainly time for One Nation, with Farley once more publicly at odds with Hanson over one of many social gathering’s central political points.
The Farrer MP advised ABC’s Insiders that whereas One Nation wished to cut back web abroad migration to 130,000, it might permit one other 100,000 migrant employees via expert visas, backpacker applications and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.
That will put the efficient quantity at about 230,000 – broadly in step with Labor’s forecast of 225,000 by 2027–28.
Hanson moved rapidly to reject Farley’s interpretation, insisting One Nation’s coverage was to chop web abroad migration to 130,000, with some short-term agricultural employees excluded from the official measure.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce was then despatched out to wash up the mess, telling Dawn that Farley had merely received it incorrect.
“Present me a political profession the place individuals haven’t made a mistake, and I’ll present you an individual who’s not advised the reality.”
Joyce mentioned One Nation had seemingly raised the matter with Farley however refused to elaborate.
“Oh, look, I’m not going to throw anyone underneath a bus,” he mentioned. “When individuals are new in parliament, they will generally get issues incorrect, and that’s what occurs. God is aware of I’ve finished it sufficient.”
“I feel [Farley] would have been offended by [One Nation’s head of operations] James Ashby occurring News24 final evening with a mop and primarily mocking what I assumed had been his considerate contributions on [ABC’s] Insiders yesterday,” Hastie mentioned.
Hastie was referring to Ashby’s look on News24 on Sunday evening the place he brandished a mop and clarified One Nation’s migration insurance policies, stating he’d spoken to Farley and that “individuals make errors”.
“For a brand new member of parliament, it’s at all times troublesome getting your head round these [net overseas migration] numbers,” Ashby mentioned.
Farley’s feedback had been additionally savaged by on-line information website One Information Australia, which branded his look a “rookie blunder” and claimed his “clueless” efficiency had given Labor an “escape route” from its migration coverage.
The criticism is notable given One Information Australia’s origins because the One Nation Supporters Community earlier than it was rebranded as a information organisation. The location and the social gathering say they haven’t any affiliation, though its protection is strongly pro-One Nation and Hanson.
Farley was beforehand counselled by Hanson through the Farrer byelection marketing campaign after he agreed a web migration determine of 306,000 final 12 months was “most likely not” too many.
The pair additionally exchanged harsh phrases after it was revealed that he’d beforehand tried to hunt preselection with Labor for the seat and never knowledgeable anybody inside One Nation earlier than it was revealed by this masthead.
Farley has already proven he’s ready to depart from Hanson’s place within the parliament.
Final week he voted with the Coalition on an modification to Labor’s wagering laws, regardless of Hanson having beforehand dedicated to supporting the federal government’s ban on overseas matched lotteries.
His rising independence is being watched carefully by Coalition MPs, significantly given his conservative and agricultural background.
Sources within the Coalition mentioned Opposition Chief Angus Taylor knew Farley from his time as an agribusiness chief and will doubtlessly use the connection to court docket him in future, though there aren’t any instant plans to take action.
“He’s a Nat or a rustic Liberal, not a populist,” one Liberal MP mentioned.
Farley advised Insiders he got here from the conservative LNP custom, joined the Nationals after returning to Farrer and later explored becoming a member of Labor and operating as an impartial.
He in the end selected One Nation as a result of he mentioned it supplied the “political braveness” and “tenacity” he wished.
“I’ve the complete help of the social gathering to pursue what I’m doing, particularly for Farrer,” he mentioned.
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Rob Harris is the nationwide correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based mostly in Canberra. He’s a former Europe correspondent.Join by way of e mail.
Paul Sakkal is Chief Political Correspondent. He beforehand lined Victorian politics and received a Walkley award and the 2025 Press Gallery Journalist of the 12 months. Contact him securely on Sign @paulsakkal.14.Join by way of X or e mail.