Not being the incumbent member for Indi has produced extra perks during Sophie Mirabella’s campaign.
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In her 12 years holding the safe seat, she was often called on to campaign around the country with her Liberal counterparts.
Now after three years away from office, the Wangaratta-based candidate is trying to reclaim the job from independent Cathy McGowan and as the challenger, she could remain in Indi.
“I’ve got more time to do it, I don’t have to go and campaign elsewhere,” she said.
“That’s made it more enjoyable.”
I don’t have to go and campaign elsewhere. That’s made it more enjoyable
- Sophie Mirabella
The election bid was based around community safety initiatives, such as introducing a national sex offender registry, and the Liberal slogan of “jobs and growth”.
Mrs Mirabella, who was the industry shadow minister in opposition, said manufacturing remained essential for Indi’s economy.
She said federal funding promised for the Benalla munitions factory – to build a small arms ammunition test facility on the site – was a way to help grow business, along with improving roads for trucks in the region.
“It’s a no-brainer that should be an absolute starting point,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“You need the overall policy to be working so there’s incentive for business to grow.”
She has campaigned for a sex offender registry alongside organisers of the “enough is enough” campaign, launched after two violent deaths around Wangaratta in six months.
So has another high-profile figure in Derryn Hinch, running for a Victorian Senate seat with his Justice Party.
“I think it’s great he’s running, he’s been a very passionate advocate and paid the price for it,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I’m seeing a lot of readiness to talk about it, but I think it’s seen politically as more of a social issue, not an important community issue.”
The candidate also admitted the country had “fallen down” when providing adequate rehabilitation for drug, and especially ice, addicts.
“There are people struggling, wanting to get out of the cycle,” she said.
“One of the things I want to fight for is to get those rehabilitation services locally … definitely a rehabilitation centre.
“We do need those services locally because if you want families to support their family members, the best way they can do it is locally.”
The campaign has been longer than most –effectively starting with her May 2015 pre-selection bid – and she praised the strong family support helping with her two daughters.
“I think it’ll give them a special connection and memories as they grow,” Mrs Mirabella said.
