Former Boothby MP Nicolle Flint targets Nick McBride in MacKillop campaign-style listening tour of South East South Australia

Former federal metro MP turned Sky News regular Nicolle Flint is going on an 11-day “listening tour” of a rural conservative stronghold – but says it doesn’t mean she’s running.

Former federal MP Nicolle Flint will target turncoat Liberal Nick McBride’s South East seat of MacKillop with an 11-day “listening tour” in January, fuelling speculation she will enter state politics.

Ms Flint, who returned to politics in August as the state Liberal Party rural and regional council chair, will wage a campaign-style series of town hall meetings, business visits, shopping centre “listening posts”, morning teas and pub dinners.

The former Boothby MP, whose family has farmed in the MacKillop electorate for generations, will be joined by state upper house Liberal Ben Hood, who lives in Mount Gambier.

Former federal politician Nicolle Flint on her parents’ property near Kingston SE. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The former blue-ribbon Liberal seat, held by Mr McBride since 2018, became independent in July after he left the party claiming factional “dark forces” created an environment of disunity and backstabbing.

Asked whether the listening tour was a prelude to a preselection bid, Ms Flint said: “‘I am determined to do everything I can, as a Liberal volunteer, to get the party in the best position for the next state and federal elections.”

Mr Hood acknowledged speculation Ms Flint would put her hand up for preselection in MacKillop, saying her passion, platform and drive for regional policy issues was evident from organising the listening tour.

He pointed out Ms Flint had succeeded him as the party’s rural and regional council chair, a role she had held before from 2014 to 2016.

“She’s just got such a heart and a passion for regional policy … It’s really important to me and I know it is to her,” Mr Hood said.

Independent former Liberal MP Nick McBride at his farm in Conmurra. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ms Flint in late November entered the state political fray by using a Sky News column to accuse Labor of insulting veterans by scrubbing Anzac Day from new public holiday legislation.

Days later, Premier Peter Malinauskas bowed to pressure and declared the government would amend the public holiday bill to include names, rather than just dates.

Ms Flint quit federal politics at the 2022 election after being forced out by a sexist barrage, having represented the Adelaide marginal seat of Boothby from 2016.

Ms Flint signalled in September she would consider standing for parliament again if the Liberals wanted her, telling SA Weekend: “Whatever I can do to assist, I will do.”

In response, Opposition Leader David Speirs said her “talent and ideas would be welcomed back” in his state Liberal Party room, declaring Ms Flint “a great friend” with whom he had worked closely for years.