![Abbott coming to town and it can’t hurt Mirabella’s chances Abbott coming to town and it can’t hurt Mirabella’s chances](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/e8uBJxuTc2fGAziDArmhm5/6d6234e9-7d05-41ae-b41d-8034e792a72b.jpg/r795_0_2710_2316_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
TONY Abbott has given the nod to a visit to Albury-Wodonga next month.
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Though not related to the fact that his former Liberal colleague Sophie Mirabella will contest the seat of Indi at the next federal election, the visit by the prime minister is sure to be a major boost for her re-election chances.
Mr Abbott will officially launch the Spirit of Anzac centenary experience travelling exhibition, with Wodonga its first stop.
He had a cabinet spot reserved for Mrs Mirabella when the Coalition won the most recent federal election in 2013 but the seat of Indi was grabbed by independent Cathy McGowan.
Mr Abbott thinks highly of Mrs Mirabella and while his motivation to visit Wodonga is to launch the Spirit of the Anzac centenary experience, he will no doubt find time to endorse the high-profile candidate.
Mrs Mirabella is spot on in her assertion that it is entirely appropriate that Mr Abbott would officiate at the event.
But it is fair to say she is already on the campaign trail, which is the smart thing to do with ground to make up after the 2013 result.
She recently hosted a visit to Wodonga by federal assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development Jamie Briggs, where it was announced that $1.7 million would go towards an upgrade to Thomas Mitchell Drive.
Mrs Mirabella has been divisive but bringing the big-hitters to town with promises of money can’t hurt her chances. You can’t blame her for the fact that she has friends in high places.
ON THE SAME PAGE
ANIMAL lovers and hunters may seem miles apart in their view points but both will be in favour of a groundbreaking new approach to catching poachers.
The Australian Deer Association revealed yesterday it is working with Flinders University in researching DNA markers for deer which would allow for greater tracing of animals which have been poached.
The revelation comes after a pet deer had its head and antlers hacked off at a property near Myrtleford. Whether you are in favour of hunting or not, ethical hunters should not even be mentioned in the same breath as the criminals responsible for that vile act.