Sophie Mirabella suspects the Victorian Liberal Party campaign headquarters is behind a series of damaging leaks to journalists to undermine her as she battles to reclaim the regional seat of Indi from independent Cathy McGowan.

Key points: Ms Mirabella says of former party:"It doesn't matter what Collins Street says"

Ms Mirabella says of former party:"It doesn't matter what Collins Street says" Believes Victorian Liberal HQ behind damaging press leaks

Believes Victorian Liberal HQ behind damaging press leaks Head to Australia Votes for more election coverage

When asked would it surprise her if last Monday's story in The Australian, with the headline, "Mirabella: she's cooked", actually emanated from her own camp, the former member for Indi, who lost by just 439 votes in 2013, laughed ruefully.

"It's better not to say," she told 7.30.

"But if you show me the name of the journalist I might be able to point you in the right direction. You can usually guess it 90 per cent of the time.

"What do they say? If you want a friend in politics, get a dog."

When 7.30 put to her the argument that her own relationships within the Liberal Party were not strong enough to make her an effective MP, Mrs Mirabella was quick to point out the distinction between party and parliamentary colleagues.

Her relationships with the latter, she claimed, were still good.

"Quite frankly, it doesn't matter what Collins Street says," she said.

"It matters what the people of Indi say."

Her husband, ex-Army Lieutenant Colonel Greg Mirabella, is prepared to defend his wife, but understands the nature of politics.

"I'm a private person but I'm also the person that can say things in defence of Sophie, that Sophie can't say for herself," he told 7.30.

"But every political colleague is also a competitor, and is a potential enemy. It's a reason why most people wouldn't enjoy that political game, I think."

Whilst telecommunication black spots, job opportunities and the now notorious Wangaratta hospital dominate as key election issues in Indi, all fall within the ambit of which electoral candidate can offer the electorate the most effective relationship with a federal government.

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It's about building trust: McGowan

Incumbent, independent Cathy McGowan, said building relationships was an important part of what she does.

"Building trust, building belonging and respect for people underpin it... which creates a foundation from which other things can happen," she told 7.30.

But Ms McGowan conceded that "for people who don't get relationships, for people who don't understand that if you've got a really safe operating environment then people can perform at a much higher level, they think it's waste of time".

"So some of my opposition complain that all you do is have meetings," she said.

Independent MP for Indi, Cathy McGowan, talks to Libbi Gorr about the battle to retain her seat.

Ms McGowan, described by her sister Ruth as "the maiden aunt" of the family, was initially encouraged to stand for Indi by her nephews, nieces and their friends, who had gone to study in Melbourne.

The "Expats from Indi" quest was to turn Indi into a marginal seat by fielding an alternate candidate to the incumbent Liberal, to attract more federal attention and funding.

Two of the now infamous "Expats for Indi" recently had charges withdrawn against them for giving false or misleading information to the Australian Electoral Commission, for voting in Indi whilst studying in Melbourne.

The AEC website states students can vote at their home base while living away.

Ruth McGowan also pointed to the toxicity of party politics as a reason to do things differently.

"I think Indi can be a beacon for a new way of politics and you've got to start somewhere," she said.

"Not this fighting - that's so last century. Look how many different prime ministers we've had in the last three years and opposition leaders. It's a bear pit there."

Mirabella shrugs off Queen of Mean tag

Mrs Mirabella has long been dubbed in political and media circles as the Queen of Mean, with Ms McGowan picking up the "Miss Congeniality" tag in a recent online article.

"I'm not going to pay any attention to that," Mrs Mirabella told 7.30.

"It's part of how political commentary goes. A strong woman on the conservative side is not what those who oppose the conservative side of politics want to see, obviously."

Ms McGowan shrugs her shoulders when questioned about those with a personal grudge against Mrs Mirabella who join the independent's band of volunteers.

"People make emotional decisions about people," she said.

"That's just the game, isn't it?"

The National Party are fielding a candidate in Indi for the first time since 2001 - Marty Corboy.

Despite preferencing Sophie Mirabella, he said he is in it to win.

Libbi Gorr presents Sunday 10am- 12 noon @774Melbourne.