Shepparton MP Suzanna Sheed is the role model for four candidates across the seats of Benambra, Euroa and Ovens Valley after being elected as an independent in the last state poll.

To become the first fresh independent in Spring Street in 15 years, Ms Sheed spent $100,000 on her campaign.

Benambra independent hopeful Jenny O’Connor said she does not expect to outlay six figures.

“We’ve fundraised well over $20,000 and there’s two weeks to go and we expect to get more,” Ms O’Connor said.

“I don’t think it takes $100,000.

“I don’t think people respond to big flash campaigns, I’m doing a basic, genuine engagement campaign.”

Ms O’Connor’s webpage yesterday listed her donations tally as $6052.

Benambra’s other independent contender Jacqui Hawkins estimates her appeal had netted $10,000.

“We’ve been crowd-funding, doing stuff on the ground and we had the ad in the paper,” Ms Hawkin said referring to her Border Mail promotion last Saturday listing supporters.

“The major parties have a huge amount of money.”

Incumbent Benambra MP, Liberal Bill Tilley declined to answer questions about his campaign war chest.

“Any disclosures around fundraising, as required by Victorian legislation will be made within that legislated timeframe,” Mr Tilley said.

Under law, MPs receive a $1.19 per voter for an annual communications budget for promotion.

That equates to around $58,000 for Mr Tilley and Euroa MLA Steph Ryan and $51,000 for Ovens Valley MLA Tim McCurdy.

However, access to that kitty is not allowed during the election campaign.

From the issuing of writs on October 30, the MPs have relied on individual and party funds for promotion.

Ms Ryan declined to give a campaign cost but noted “it’s nowhere near the $100,000 Suzanna Sheed spent on her campaign”.

The Nationals MP said it would be less than her 2014 run which saw her face-off with a Liberal challenger.

Rival independent Don Firth said he was happy to declare the cost of his campaign after being hit by a “malicious rumour” that he was funded by Labor.

“There’s $20,000 out of my own pocket and $5000 from a family member and their family,” Mr Firth said.

“The rest is made up of donations with an office and car donated and my marketing manager is doing it for nothing.”

In Ovens Valley, Mr McCurdy did not reply to The Border Mail and independent Tammy Atkins refused to say what her budget was, labelling it “commercially sensitive information”.

Asked if she expected to spend $100,000, Ms Atkins said “absolutely not”.