Victorian Farmers' Union

Farmers groups in particular looked to run their own candidates independent of the Nationalists.

With farmers groups such as the Victorian Farmers Union looking to run candidates, we saw the familiar dance seen in first past the post systems on many occasions: two distinct groups who both want to defeat their common enemy but want something in return for withdrawing.

In early 1918, the National Farmers Organization formally asked Billy Hughes to support preferential voting, but the Prime Minister left for Europe without a reply.

A by-election for the Victorian seat of Flinders was due to be held in May 1918 after Sir William Irvine was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

In addition to the Nationalist and Labor candidates, the Victorian Farmers Union nominated a candidate, John Hall.

The acting Prime Minister, William Watt, tried to convince Hall not to stand by promising that he would introduce a bill on preferential voting.

But the farmers insisted on a promise from the party overall.

Western Australian founding father John Forrest died in early September, triggering a by-election for his seat of Swan.