Among her challengers is Mathoura’s Mike Rose, who is a candidate for Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party.
Fellow Mathoura resident and NSW Murray contender Tom Weyrich chose not to nominate for One Nation, after being its candidate in last month’s state election.
But two others have backed up their state candidacy to have a crack at toppling the Liberal stronghold on the federal electorate — Griffith-based Independent Brain Mills and Phillip Langfield for the Christian Democrats.
Behind Ms Ley, the full list of candidates in ballot order are: Ross Hamilton – Sustainable Australia Party; Kieran Drabsch – Labor; Kevin Mack – Independent; Phillip Langfield – Christian Democrats; Mark Ellis – Liberal Democrats; Brian Mills – Independent; Mike Rose – United Australia Party; Dean Moss – The Greens.
Mr Mack is tipped to be Ms Ley’s fiercest competitor, particularly because of the grassroots support he has received from district landholders.
He is the preferred candidate of Voices For Farrer, which was started by Coalition supporters who said they were fed up with what they believe is the mismanagement of water by successive major parties in government.
Mr Rose said he had decided to come out of retirement and seek election, because ‘‘I am fed up with what is happening in federal politics and the enormous waste of taxpayers’ money’’.
He said his party wants to go one step further than the appeals to pause the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
‘‘Our water policy is not to Pause the Plan like another party is suggesting, but to scrap the current Murray-Darling Basin Plan altogether and give the farmers a fair go,’’ Mr Rose said.
‘‘The comments I am getting from the electorate are that people have had enough, and what was a safe Liberal seat in Farrer will be no more.
‘‘I have joined the United Australia Party to deliver accountability in Canberra for people of the Farrer region.
‘‘The Liberal Party has sold out the Farrer electorate and it’s time to put Aussies first. The Liberal Party is in chaos and so too is the Labor Party.
‘‘I am sick of the lack of respect current politicians are showing to the Australian people in regards to their needs and concerns, including the security of our nation and its resources.
‘‘Our policies are getting a high acceptance rate, especially in the areas of our water policy and tax deductable mortgage on homes.’’
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