Christian Democrat Paul Rossetto confirmed he had done a deal with Australian Liberty Alliance candidate Ron Pike, the pair each listing the other in second place. When asked about whether he was concerned about Mr Pike’s views on Islam and Indigenous people, Mr Rossetto replied “not necessarily”.

“We’re prioritising the vote for water, it’s the single biggest issue facing towns in the basin,” he said.

Both men put independent Brian Mills in third, but the rest of the order revealed political persuasions. 

Mr Pike put former Labor candidate Christian Kunde ahead of Mature Australia’s Trevor O’Brien. The Greens’ Amanda Cohn and Liberal Sussan Ley filled out the last two positions respectively, likely because of their positions on water policies.

Meanwhile, Mr Rossetto had put Mr O’Brien in fourth, then Ms Ley, Mr Mills and Ms Cohn, indicating The Greens’ support for same-sex marriage was his biggest worry.

The left-wing Greens unsurprisingly gave second spot to fellow left-leaners Labor, then Mr O’Brien and Mr Mills respectively before Mr Rossetto, Ms Ley and Mr Pike in last place.

Dr Cohn said originally Ms Ley was in last place in a bid to make the seat more marginal, but after discussions with Greens members she decided to put Mr Pike last because of “unacceptably divisive and dangerous views on minority groups in our communities”.

Ms Ley also listed Mr Pike in last spot, but Mr Rossetto scored second place, believed to be due to a Liberal Party deal with the Christian Democrats. As with the other candidates, Mr Mills and Mr O’Brien filled the center of the field. However, Labor was listed ahead of The Greens indicating the Liberals’ distaste for the minority party.

Independent Brian Mills’ card was similar to Mr O’Brien’s with Labor, The Green and the Liberals occupying the last three spots. They gave each other second place and Mr Mills preferred the Christian Democrats to Mr Pike while Mr O’Brien’s middle field was reversed.