The Indigo councillor will reprise her 2013 role as the Greens candidate for North East federal seat, taking on Liberal Party contender Mrs Mirabella and incumbent independent member Cathy McGowan.

“I had said I wouldn’t stand, but once Sophie was preselected it was apparent there was going to be some seasoned campaigners and I’m the most experienced Green candidate and I thought we’ve got to have someone with that degree of experience in the arena,” Ms O’Connor said.

The Beechworth resident, who was the only nominee for the Greens, attracted 3.42 per cent in the last Indi election, down 6.21 per cent.

“I hoping I do very well; I’d like to win this election,” Ms O’Connor said when asked about her chances.

“I think the political landscape has changed since the last election because this government is very extreme.

“There are really of an ilk like the Tea Party in the United States, their policies are from the extreme right.

“They are harsh towards people that are not well off in society, they attack the most vulnerable and they dismiss people they call leaners.”

Ms O’Connor cited the government’s policies on climate change, renewable energy and asylum-seekers as examples of extremity in her eyes.

She believes the Labor Party’s embrace of asylum-seeker boat turn backs will secure her votes from left-leaning citizens.

“The Greens are the only party that has a humane position on that and our policy is based on the policies of the United Nations,” Ms O’Connor said.

“We don’t want people to drown at sea and we want to treat people with humanity.”

Ms O’Connor declined to score Ms McGowan’s performance as an MP.

“I think Cathy is a strong advocate for Indi as much as an independent can be, but as an independent, unless you’ve got the balance of power, it’s hard to have a loud voice in the parliament,” she said.

Ms O’Connor does not share Ms McGowan’s view that free-spending Speaker Bronwyn Bishop should not resign, she wants Prime Minister Tony Abbott to sack the former NSW senator.