Fellow crossbencher, South Australian Rebekha Sharkie held off Liberal Georgina Downer in the by-election for the seat of Mayo on Saturday with a clear swing to the incumbent who had to unexpectedly face voters as a result of the citizenship saga.

The day after the by-election win, Liberal minister Christopher Pyne told the ABC that regionally-based independents were difficult to beat once in parliament.

“It's very hard to dislodge independents in rural seats,” he said.

“We've still got Bob Katter, Cathy McGowan. Obviously in New England (Tony Windsor) and Lyne (Rob Oakeshott), those two members hung on in there for a long time.

“It's hard to dislodge them.”

McGowan has been deflecting speculation about running for a third term since earlier this year.

Last month she admitted the group behind her success at the elections in 2013 and 2016, Voices For Indi, had started “succession planning” for when she does decide to retire.

Her initial decision to stand against Sophie Mirabella was confirmed four months before the 2013 poll.

But for the 2016 poll she had a longer lead-in with her decision to seek a second term made more than a year earlier.

McGowan spent time on the campaign trail in Mayo helping Ms Sharkie and has congratulated her on her victory.

“I am pleased to see that Rebekha was re-elected,” Ms McGowan said.

“Independent MPs provide strong representation for their communities and I look forward to continuing to work with Rebekha when parliament resumes.”

The Coalition candidates for the next Indi election are far from finalised with preselections yet to be announced.

Some Coalition supporters believe McGowan will delay making an announcement on whether to contest Indi for a third time until her main rivals are revealed.

“It has been my position throughout this term of parliament that I will not make a comment about my future candidature for Indi until a federal election is announced,” she said.

​Sophie Mirabella’s husband Greg has been touted as a Liberal candidate and the National Party preselection could be a shootout involving 2016 candidate Marty Corboy and Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie.

Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie is resisting pressure to quit the senate and contest the lower house seat of Indi despite her regular visits to the electorate in the last 18 months.