Nicolle Flint in box seat for political comeback to run for MacKillop, with David Speirs saying he’d welcome her back

SA Liberal leader David Speirs says he would welcome former federal MP Nicolle Flint back to his party room, as she doesn’t rule out a political comeback.

Former federal MP Nicolle Flint on her parents’ property near Kingston in the state’s South-East. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Prominent former federal Liberal MP Nicolle Flint is poised to overcome the sexist barrage that forced her from politics in a bid to wrest back her party’s previous South-East stronghold of MacKillop.

Signalling she would consider standing for parliament again if the Liberals wanted her, Ms Flint told 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.

In what would amount to a remarkable return after abruptly quitting federal politics in 2021 citing burnout, abuse, harassment and significant health issues, Ms Flint would take on Liberal turncoat Nick McBride, who quit the party in July for the cross bench.

Read the full interview with Nicolle Flint in SA Weekend

Former federal politician Nicolle Flint. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

SA Liberal leader David Speirs. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Ms Flint, a conservative former federal Boothby MP, returned to Liberal organisational politics in late August, when she was elected unopposed as the state party’s rural and regional council chair.

Asked about standing for state parliament in MacKillop, where her family has farmed for generations, Ms Flint, 45, said she was content in that voluntary party role but would consider standing for preselection.

“So yes, people have suggested it (returning to politics), and if, in due course, people want me to consider it, then I would,” she said.

“But at the moment I am very happy being a humble volunteer and doing my part to support the party.”

The next state election will be in March 2026, which gives Ms Flint time to rebuild her standing and secure preselection in the key South-East seat.

It’s a region she has known and loved all of her life and a seat that is unexpectedly not represented by a Liberal.

This once Liberal jewel held by Nick McBride since 2018 became independent in July after Mr McBride left the party claiming factional “dark forces” created an environment of disunity and backstabbing.

Nicolle Flint in Parliament House, Canberra, in March 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Now Ms Flint is right back where she began, as a volunteer, grassroots Liberal Party activist, living on her parents’ farm in the area has just been elected chairman of the state’s Liberal Party Rural and Regional Council, a position she held from 2014-2016 before entering federal politics.

“In MacKillop, Liberal members in particular, but people in the community are really disappointed – and some of them would use stronger language than that – that their member has decided to resign,” Ms Flint tells SA Weekend.

“I think people, especially Liberal Party people, are devastated as it is one of the party’s safest seats within South Australia, and probably nationally. So, there is a strong Liberal sentiment there.”

Ms Flint says she is flattered by the “very generous suggestions” at what her future in the South Australian Party might look like but at the moment says her sole focus is her volunteer role on the council.

There has been speculation that Nicolle Flint could even be a potential future leader of the state party. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Her ambition is still untested and there has been speculation that Flint could even be a potential future leader of the state party which has struggled for traction in the shadow of the Peter Malinauskas-led Labor.

“Obviously I want to see the Liberal Party win back government at the state and federal levels, so we can implement policies that will best support the people of South Australia, and the nation,” Ms Flint says.

“Ultimately it is up to others to decide if my skills would be of value to the Liberal Party in any other capacity.”

Former Liberal Nick McBride. Picture: Ben Clark

Mr Speirs said: “Nicolle Flint is a great friend and I’ve worked closely with her for years. She’s not only a champion for regional South Australia but was a fierce advocate for the electorate of Boothby while in Federal Parliament.

“Her talent and ideas would be welcomed back in our Parliamentary Liberal Party and if she were interested, I’d love to have her on my team.”

In response, Mr McBride said his “sole focus” was on working for the people of his electorate.

“MacKillop is vitally important to the economic success of the State, and for too long has been underinvested,” he said.

“As the Independent Member, I will continue to be a strong voice for the people in my electorate and work to ensure that adequate funding is delivered, that helps the region grow and prosper.”

During a wide-ranging interview with SA Weekend, Ms Flint talks about the factors that led her to the point of emotional exhaustion, which included constant trolling and abuse, and dealing with the effects of endometriosis.

After leaving politics, and realising she would not be able to have children, Flint has had to rethink her future.

Read the full interview with Nicolle Flint in SA Weekend.

Originally published as Nicolle Flint in box seat for political comeback to run for MacKillop, with David Speirs saying he’d welcome her back