Politics Now Will Farrer be One Nation's 'holy grail'?
Mar 9, 2026
Jacob Greber, ABC political reporter and Farrer correspondent, gives on-the-ground analysis of the Farrer by-election and regional concerns. He discusses Australia's possible non-offensive military support to Gulf states. He outlines polling showing One Nation leading, the coalition's preference dilemma, and local voter issues like water buybacks, diesel and freight.
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Australia Is Being Drawn In Through Alliances
- Australia is being pulled into the US-led Middle East response mainly through alliance obligations rather than a formal public debate.
- Jacob Greber highlights surveillance, tracking and joint facilities like Pine Gap as likely defensive contributions rather than offensive deployments.
Labor Must Thread A Political Needle
- The government faces a needle-to-thread political test balancing solidarity with allies and Labor's anti-war base.
- Greber notes tight caucus discipline with only a few voices like Ed Husic publicly dissenting.
Global Conflict Is Turning Into Domestic Economic Pain
- The conflict's economic spillovers are becoming political risks for the Albanese government via fuel and inflation pressures.
- Greber warns supply chain and harvest freight restrictions in regions like Farrer are already being felt.