Seven of the 12 have so far committed to attending the candidate forum being held in Deniliquin on Tuesday evening.
It is being hosted by the NSW Farmers Association in partnership with the Deniliquin Pastoral Times and Southern Riverina News, with support from Edward River Council.
Doors to the Deniliquin RSL Dunlop Room (upstairs) open at 6.30pm, with the forum expected to run from 7pm to 9pm.
Pre-submitted questions are being collated and will put to the panel, with Deniliquin businessman Harold Clapham acting as convenor and MC.
Almost 80 voters have registered to attend the forum to date.
While registrations are preferred, you don’t have to RSVP to attend.
Candidate nominations for the election closed on Monday evening, and it was not until the Australian Electoral Commission released a full list of nominees about 1pm Tuesday that the additional candidates were known.
Added overnight Monday were Aimee Lee Pearson from the Legalise Cannabis Party, Independent Roger Woodward and Peter Sinclair from the Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party.
Ms Pearson is unable to attend the Deniliquin forum next week, and the other two new candidates were yet to provide a response when the Pastoral Times went to print yesterday.
Others unable to attend the forum are Richard Hendrie from The Greens and Family First candidate Rebecca Scriven.
The number of candidates is notably higher than at the 2025 federal election when nine people contested the seat.
The 2026 candidates, in ballot order, are: Raissa Butkowski (Liberal Party), Michelle Milthorpe (Independent), Jamie Bonnefin (Gerard Rennick People First), Brad Robertson (The Nationals), Aimee Lee Pearson (Legalise Cannabis Party), Richard Hendrie (The Greens), Roger Woodward (Independent), David Farley (One Nation), Rebecca Scriven (Family First), Lucas James Ellis (Affordable Housing Now - Sustainable Australia Party), Gary Pappin (Independent), and Peter Sinclair (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers).
Interestingly, four are repeat candidates from 2025 - Ms Milthorpe, Mr Hendrie, Ms Scriven and Mr Sinclair.
The by-election will be held on Saturday, May 9.
Early voting centres will open from Tuesday, April 28, two weeks before the by-election day.
You can vote early in-person or by post if, on polling day, you are outside your electorate or more than 8km from a polling place.
This also applies if you are travelling or unable to leave work to vote.
You may also vote early if you are seriously ill, infirm, due to give birth soon, or caring for someone who is, or if you are a hospital patient and unable to vote there.
Other eligible circumstances include having religious beliefs that prevent attendance, being in prison serving less than three years or otherwise detained, being a silent elector, or having a reasonable fear for your safety or wellbeing.
Early voting centres will be closed on the Anzac Day public holiday and on Sunday, May 3.
• For more information on where you can vote, visit https://www.aec.gov.au/farrer/voting.htm
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