The well-known independent is planning an an official launch of his campaign some time next week, but has already established a website promoting his decision to join the growing list of contenders in Indi.

"As the member for Indi I will be dedicated to making our region the best place to live in Australia," he said.

Mr Lappin nominated as a candidate in the 2013 election won by Voice For Indi's Cathy McGowan over Liberal Sophie Mirabella.

But, he had to withdraw soon after the campaign started after suffering a heart-attack.

Earlier this year he tried to join the Labor Party with the intention of standing for pre-selection for Indi.

He accused Labor powerbrokers of double standards in rejecting his bid to join the party.

Mr Lappin said he was told by party chiefs he couldn’t be the Labor candidate because of a seven-year rule preventing people who had stood at previous elections as independents or for other parties.

But the 63-year-old said Labor had conveniently overlooked a recent example of Jennifer Podesta being chosen to stand for Labor in last year’s state election.

He cited the example of Jennifer Podesta also standing as an independent at the 2013 federal election and then being chosen to stand for Labor in last year’s Victorian election.

Party officials rejected Mr Lappin's accusations of a seven-year rule.

Instead, a two-year period must elapse when a prospective Labor candidate ceases being a member of another political organisation or the date in which they formally nominate against an ALP endorsed candidate.

The most recent federal election was in September 2013.

Mr Lappin lives near Rutherglen.

He contested the 2010 election and attracted 5.84 per cent of the vote in the poll easily won by Mrs Mirabella.

The confirmed starters in the Indi election race are Ms McGowan, Mrs Mirabella, Labor's Eric Kerr and Greens’ candidate Jenny O'Connor.

Australian Country Alliance has opened pre-selection for a candidate In Indi with former Wangaratta councillor Julian Fidge among the contenders.

The Nationals will also be a player in Indi next year, but haven't opened pre-selection for the seat it last contested in 2001.