One-time federal senator Ricky Muir is taking the first steps in a return to politics after being recruited by two key crossbenchers in Victoria's Parliament.

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF), which holds two Upper House seats, have secured Mr Muir in an ambassadorial role for issues in his native Gippsland.

He said he was motivated to return to politics because of the "crisis" in Gippsland's timber industry, in which he works in, and the proposed Great Forest National Park.

"It was the issue with Australian Sustainable Hardwood and the threat of the Great Forest National Park, alongside Leadbeater's possums seeming to have absolute priority over the top of even human existence, which really drove me to want to be involved in politics again," he said.

Hundreds of jobs have been lost following the closure of Australian Sustainable Hardwood's sawmill in Heyfield and the mill owned by Carter Holt Harvey in Morwell.

Conservationists and logging advocates are arguing over whether the Leadbeater's possum deserves special protection from the timber industry.

Mr Bourman said he became good friends with Mr Muir during his time as a senator and once his term finished in Parliament talks began about him joining the like-minded party.

The SFF party holds two critical votes in the Victorian Upper House, where the Labor Government only has 14 out of 40 votes, making the crossbench votes important on legislation opposed by the Coalition.

Muir 'won't rule out' tilt at 2018 state election

The recruitment comes just a day after Cory Bernardi secured the defection of Democratic Labour Party MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins to his fledgling Australian Conservatives party.

Like the SFF party, Ms Carling-Jenkins holds an important role in Victoria's Upper House.

Mr Muir, a sawmill worker, unexpectedly won a Senate spot in 2013 with the Australian Motoring Enthusiasts party on the back of strong preference deals and despite a tiny vote.

He lost his spot in 2016 and at the time said he did not expect the defeat to be the end of his political career.

Mr Muir said the "million-dollar question" was whether he decided to run in next year's state election.

"Nothing's set in stone," he said. "I wouldn't rule it out though."

"Politics is a bloodthirsty game, and you really need people of honest statue to stand there and not just repeat prewritten party lines, but really try to represent their electorate to the best of their ability."