Sophie Mirabella would be welcomed back into federal politics, former colleagues say, but the controversial former Liberal MP would likely face a three-cornered contest against independent Cathy McGowan and a Nationals candidate.
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There is a growing belief among Coalition ranks that Ms Mirabella, a prominent Coalition frontbencher in opposition who is politically close to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, will attempt to reclaim the seat she lost to Ms McGowan by just 439 votes in 2013.
Over the weekend, Ms Mirabella made her second high profile appearance in her old seat in a fortnight when she joined Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce at the Wangaratta show, according to the Border Mail.
At the same time, an Australian Electoral Commission investigation into the enrolment details of 27 people who voted in Indi - some of whom were young volunteers who worked on Ms McGowan's campaign - has heightened speculation Ms Mirabella will re-enter the political fray. That investigation will not, however, trigger a by-election.
Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester, who holds the neighbouring seat of Gippsland, said Ms Mirabella was a proven campaigner who had been highly regarded in opposition.
"She would be welcome back to Coalition ranks. She is a combative character who would take the fight to the independents. The people of Indi deserve a clear choice at the next election," he said, though he warned she faced a fight.
"Given it is held by an independent, our [the Nationals] intention would be to contest the seat and once the Victorian state election is completed [on November 29] we will likely start looking seriously for a candidate."
And Nationals MP Michael McCormack, who holds the neighbouring NSW seat of Riverina, said the fiery Ms Mirabella was "good on policy and good on detail".
"She is straight down the line, she doesn't mince her words, if you wanted someone in the trenches by your side in hand to hand combat Sophie is the person that you want beside you," he said.
Victorian Liberals contacted by Fairfax Media declined to comment about Ms Mirabella's potential return to politics, citing wariness about creating a distraction ahead of the upcoming Victorian state election. However, several confirmed that Ms Mirabella's possible return was being widely canvassed and was under active consideration.
One joked that while she had moved on from politics, she could be "dragged" back into the federal arena.
The firebrand former MP is highly regarded in conservative circles. In March, Mr Abbott held a dinner for her in his private dining room and she was appointed to the board of the government-owned naval shipbuilding firm ASC Pty Ltd, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation, last December.
Ms Mirabella declined to be interviewed when contacted by Fairfax Media but did say that she was rostered on to help her local Liberal party branch at the show stall on the weekend.
A spokesman for Ms McGowan declined to comment.
with Latika Bourke
