GREG Mirabella is attempting to follow his wife Sophie into federal politics by running for the Victorian Liberal Senate vacancy to be filled in September.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Mirabella is one of two confirmed starters to replace Mitch Fifield, who has created the casual vacancy in the Senate by becoming Australia's permanent representative to the United Nations based in New York from later this year.
The appointment was announced soon after the Coalition's shock federal election win in May with Sarah Henderson, who lost her lower house seat of Corangamite, the other nominated contender for the spot Senator Fifield had three years left to serve.
IN OTHER NEWS
Liberal Party rules prevent Mr Mirabella from commenting publicly on his decision to seek Liberal Party endorsement to replace Senator Fifield.
But he confirmed to The Border Mail he had decided to nominate with up to 500 party delegates to decide on their replacement at a convention to be held on September 8.
Mr Mirabella recently returned to the presidency role of Wangaratta's Victorian Farmers Federation branch and is an active volunteer with the Country Fire Authority.
He unsuccessfully stood for Wangaratta Council at the most recent local government elections three years ago.
Ms Henderson lost the seat of Corangamite by the narrow margin of 1.07 per cent which followed a redistribution after her 2016 win.
Sophie Mirabella was the member for Indi from 2001 to 2013 when she lost the seat to Voices for Indi endorsed candidate Cathy McGowan.
Mrs Mirabella, who is now working in a consultancy role for mining magnate Gina Rinehart, unsuccessfully challenged Ms McGowan at the 2016 election.
Victoria's four existing Liberal senators Scott Ryan, Jane Hume, James Paterson and David Van are all metropolitan based if successful the North-East will have two senators in the area after National Party deputy leader Bridget McKenzie relocated her office to Wodonga.
Ms Hume played a prominent support role in the Indi election battle which included two visits to the electorate by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and was promoted to superannuation minister after the Coalition's unexpected success.
Mr Mirabella has also previously held roles with the Victorian Liberal Party.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here