NATIONAL Party deputy leader Barnaby Joyce has weighed into the battle for Indi by endorsing pre-selection contender Marty Corboy.
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Mr Joyce has written to members supporting Mr Corboy's bid to be its first candidate in a federal election campaign in Indi since 2001.
Party members will gather at Wangaratta Turf Club on November 14 to decide between Mr Corboy and Greg Lawrence for the right to represent the party at the next federal election due next year.
Mr Joyce is no stranger to the Indi battleground by campaigning for Liberal Sophie Mirabella in the 2013 election she lost to Voice for Indi candidate Cathy McGowan.
Mr Corboy is considered the red-hot favourite to win National Party pre-selection in Indi and attempt to regain the seat for the first time since the mid-1970s.
He was described by Mr Joyce as a "great candidate for the National Party".
"I look forward to him doing a very good job at presenting himself at pre-selection and if he is lucky, he will get the great honour to represent the people of Indi in federal parliament," Mr Joyce wrote.
"Indi is incredibly important for us and incredibly important for the National Party in Victoria."
The late Don Chambers was the last National candidate to contest Indi and attracted only 12 per per cent of the vote.
The support shown to Mrs Mirabella by Mr Joyce two years ago wasn't replicated by some sections of the Nationals in Indi and played a pivotal role in the the Coalition losing the seat.
The 2013 Indi election was decided by less than 500 votes and preferences will again be critical.
Mrs Mirabella and her successor Ms McGowan are already confirmed starters at the next election.
Mr Corboy said he met Mr Joyce at a Nationals function in Rutherglen seven years ago.
"He has seen my work in the party for a number of years," he said.
"He thinks the Nationals have a really good chance in Indi and has let his feelings known on who he thought was the right candidate."
Mr Corboy played down his favourite tag in the pre-selection race.
"I will leave it in the capable hands of the pre-selectors on the day," he said.
"Politics is a funny thing and I'm not taking anything granted.
"But I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today nor would Barnaby Joyce agree to give me his endorsement if we didn't take this very seriously."
