Former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella has denied she physically pushed her political opponent, independent MP Cathy McGowan, at a function in north-east Victoria.

Ms Mirabella is contesting the seat of Indi at the upcoming federal election, after narrowly losing to Ms McGowan in 2013.

Local newspaper, the Benalla Ensign, reported Ms Mirabella and Ms McGowan both attended the opening of a new wing of an aged care facility in Benalla last week.

The report claimed Ms McGowan was having a photograph with Liberal MP Ken Wyatt, when Ms Mirabella "very publicly pushed Ms McGowan out of the way to obstruct the photo being taken".

Ms Mirabella took to Twitter to deny the report.

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In a statement she commented further saying it was "extremely disappointing that the journalist at no time sought to contact me or check the facts or seek a right of reply".

"I am currently investigating my legal remedies and those available through the Australian Press Council," she added.

"The article represents a new low and a sad return to nasty tactics from my opponents."

But the editor of the Benalla Ensign, former ABC presenter Libby Price, stands by the story.

She said the incident was witnessed by a number of people and she independently confirmed it took place with four sources.

"I was hesitant to report it but felt it was in the public interest for people to know this sort of unacceptable behaviour had occurred," Ms Price said.

McGowan wants to put 'unfortunate incident' behind her

In a statement, Ms McGowan backed up her account.

She said she had requested a photo be taken with Mr Wyatt in front of a newly unveiled plaque.

She said Ms Mirabella "intervened to prevent the photo being taken".

"This was an important event for Cooinda Village (the nursing home), and I felt disappointed for people who were in the vicinity when the unfortunate incident occurred," Ms McGowan said.

"I would now like to put this matter behind me. My full attention is on putting Indi first to get improved mobile phone coverage, faster internet, fairer higher education, better transport and train service."

The battle for the seat of Indi is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the upcoming election.

It was decided by just over 300 votes in the 2013 election and appeared to have ended Ms Mirabella's political career, just as she was heading to a ministerial position in the Abbott government.

It is expected the result in the upcoming election will also be close, with preferences likely to be crucial.

Indi covers a large part of north-eastern Victoria including the major towns of Wangaratta, Benalla and Wodonga.