SOPHIE Mirabella has made her second public appearance since being dumped by voters, with speculation growing she will contest the next election in about two years time.
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The former member for Indi caught up with former colleague and National Party deputy leader Barnaby Joyce at the Liberal Party booth at the Wangaratta Show on Saturday.
The appearance follows Ms Mirabella’s posing for pictures at a funding announcement two weeks ago.
The September 29 announcement was her first public appearance since she lost Indi last year to independent Cathy McGowan.
Ms Mirabella and Mr Joyce did not return calls yesterday, and Ms McGowan did not want to discuss Ms Mirabella’s appearance.
Show secretary Bev Tiffin said Ms Mirabella hadn’t been invited and had attended as a private citizen.
“The Liberal Party had a site booked — she was just part of that site,” she said.
“She must have just caught up with Mr Joyce as a friend. It’s nothing to do with us.”
About 8000 people attended the two-day event, which was in its 150th year.
Ms Tiffin said the Wangaratta Show had largely avoided the decline in attendances that had blighted many regional shows in recent years.
“I think a lot of people still love it,” she said.
“We don’t find that the number of people who are attending our event is declining.”
The show featured a freestyle motocross display, circus performances, a dog-jumping competition and arts and crafts.
Artefacts from the show’s 150 years were on display.
“It brought back a lot of memories for a lot of people,” Ms Tiffin said.
Corowa’s annual show was also held yesterday with similar events and features.
