Former Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella says she was defamed by the editor of a country Victorian newspaper which, a court has heard, published "fake news" about her pushing her political rival in the lead up to the 2016 federal election.

Ms Mirabella is suing weekly paper The Benalla Ensign and its editor Libby Price in the Victoria County Court, following an April 2016 article about an encounter with Indi member Cathy McGowan.

Cathy McGowan and Sophie Mirabella during a campaign event before the 2016 election. Credit:Shana Morgan/Border Mail

Ms Mirabella, who lost the seat to Ms McGowan in 2013, says the article falsely claimed she pushed the incumbent MP out of the way of a photograph for her own political benefit.

Barrister Georgina Schoff QC said the article, which had the headline "Awkward encounter" was "completely false and defamatory" to Ms Mirabella.