The Australian Conservatives’ sole Victorian MP is considering dumping Senator Cory Bernardi’s start-up party amid a fallout over a controversial new election strategy.

Victorian upper house MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins has flagged quitting the party - and possibly running as an independent - just under a year after signing up.

Australian Conservatives founder Cory Bernardi at a press conference with Victorian MP, Rachel Carling-Jenkins in 2017. Credit:Eddie Jim

Earlier this week Senator Bernardi emailed party members saying the campaign for the November state election would focus entirely on retaining Dr Carling-Jenkins’ seat.

That decision sparked a backlash from Dr Carling-Jenkins who accused Senator Bernardi of retreating from the field.