Raissa Butkowski is an elected member of Albury City Council and a board member of the Murray Darling Association, where she advocates for water security.
Her ‘day job’ is as senior community lawyer at the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service.
The new candidate is stepping into a legacy that has seen Farrer retained as a Liberals seat for more than 20 years, but which is also shrouded in criticism because of the ‘safe seat’ tenure.
The support being shown for Independent Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation’s candidate David Farley could mean this is the election that will see Farrer held by a party outside the Coalition for the first time since being established.
And Sussan Ley’s resignation also meant The Nationals could contest the seat for the first time since 2001 with candidate Brad Robertson.
Polling by some leading news outlets and The Australia Institute suggest One Nation in currently the front runner to win the seat, but that preferencing could see it go to Ms Milthorpe.
Betting agencies, on the other hand, have Ms Milthorpe on the shortest odds, followed by The Nationals and then One Nation.
Other confirmed candidates to date include Richard Hendrie from The Greens and Rebecca Scrivn from Family First, both of whom stood against Ms Ley in 2025 and gained seven per cent of the vote combined.
Sustainable Australia Party has hinted it may field a candidate, but is yet to make any formal announcements.
There has been no news from the Labor camp, or other parties which fielded Farrer candidates last year like People First, Trumpet of Patriots and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
Ms Butkowski is under no illusions regarding the task ahead, however, saying “I’m humbled to be preselected, but know there’s a lot of hard work ahead”.
But she believes she the “energy and experience to deliver for Farrer”.
“After twenty-five years of dedicated service to the community and in parliament, Sussan Ley leaves big shoes to fill,” she said.
“Families are struggling with the cost of living, small businesses face rising costs, farmers face uncertainty and our local health system needs fixing.
“The Farrer by-election is about choosing a new representative, who can get things done for this community – now and into the future.
“It’s also an opportunity to send this Labor Government a message and keep them accountable. The best way to do that is by voting Liberal.”
“I was born and bred in the Albury Region, have experience serving regional communities, and am passionate about our future.”
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