Julia Banks to challenge Liberal Party minister Greg Hunt in Flinders

Liberal Party defector Julia Banks has confirmed she will challenge Health Minister Greg Hunt in his seat of Flinders, saying “there’s still work to be done”.

Liberal Party defector Julia Banks has confirmed she will challenge Health Minister Greg Hunt in his seat of Flinders, saying she has “unfinished business” in Parliament.

Ms Banks is the latest in a string of independents taking on government MPs, including former Winter Olympian Zali Steggall, who is challenging former prime minister Tony Abbott in Warringah, and businessman Oliver Yates, who is challenging Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong.

In a statement this morning, she said: “There’s still work to be done and unfinished business.”

“I’ve decided I’m staying in this race.”

It comes after The Herald Sun reported on Sunday Ms Banks was considering making the move.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture: AAP

Chisholm MP Julia Banks. Picture: Supplied

“Greg Hunt has worked like a Trojan for his community since the day he was elected in the seat of Flinders,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this morning.

Dismissing the threat to the health minister, he added: “I have no doubt that Greg Hunt will be rewarded by his electorate.”

Mr Morrison also brushed off suggestions there had been a “rush” of independents lining up to challenge Coalition MPs at the election as polls suggest a swing against the government.

Ms Banks is currently the Member for Chisholm but lives in the seat of Flinders, which sprawls across the Mornington Peninsula.

Flinders was considered a safe seat for Liberal Party but a huge swing against it at the state election may open the door for Ms Banks.

STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/FTXu8CEkVN

— Julia Banks MP (@juliabanksmp) January 30, 2019

“It’s important that the people of Flinders are not taken for granted and have a strong independent representative who listens, gives it their all and takes pride in being their voice,” she said today, adding that her values were at the “sensible centre”.

Ms Banks, who quit the Liberal Party last year amid explosive claims she was bullied during the leadership spill, told the Nine Network locals were angry at Mr Hunt for his part in the coup.

(L-R) Crossbenchers Kerryn Phelps, Julia Banks, Rebekha Sharkie and Cathy McGowan. Picture: AAP

“They’re particularly angered at Greg Hunt’s role in the leadership spill, in him being Peter Dutton’s wingman and wanting to oust Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop,” she told Nine.

Chisholm MP Julia Banks at her Ashwood campaign office. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Mr Hunt said he would “always look forward” when asked about the spill today but added that he stood by the decision he made at the time.

He also backed his track record in the electorate while taking a swipe at Ms Banks for trying to switch seats.

“I‘ve just walked 500km around my electorate, and I did that because I’m passionate about it,” he said.

“I believe in it. It’s my community, it’s where I grew up. I would never walk away from the area that I grew up in to try to represent another area.”

Mr Hunt added that Mr Morrison was “doing an incredible job”.

“I think he has the potential to be the most extraordinary leader not just of the federal Liberal Party ... but of any party since John Howard.”

Mr Hunt backed Peter Dutton in the spill to oust Malcolm Turnbull.

Ms Banks will remain in her seat until the election is called and then begin campaigning in Flinders.

Fellow crossbench MP Kerryn Phelps welcomed her announcement on Twitter, saying: “Congratulations on your big announcement today Julia Banks. There is potential for a very influential crossbench in the next Parliament.”

But Liberal MP Tim Wilson, a fellow Victorian who says he “gets along very well” with Ms Banks, questioned her decision this morning.

“She is entitled to go and run for Parliament wherever she seeks,” he told ABC radio.

“I guess I question whether this is a wise decision.

“The polling released by the CFMMEU earlier in the week about the Flinders electorate shows an independent basically has no chance.”

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told 2GB Mr Hunt was the “best health minister” the Liberal Party had ever had.