Julia Banks considers running against Greg Hunt in Flinders

Julia Banks could announce her intention to run against Health Minister Greg Hunt as early as next week.

Julia Banks is considering running against Greg Hunt as an independent. Picture Gary Ramage

Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks could announce her intentions to run against Health Minister Greg Hunt as an independent for the seat of Flinders as early as next week.

The news comes after recent polls revealed Labor is ahead on a two-party preferred vote of 51-49 in the Victorian seat, The Herald Sun reports.

Mr Hunt appears to be on thin ice after almost half the people surveyed said they were less likely to vote for him as a result of his role in promoting Peter Dutton for prime minister, which included Mr Hunt’s failed bid to become deputy leader.

However, the senior Cabinet minister confirmed yesterday he would recontest his seat at the upcoming election.

Ms Banks, who has been the Member for Chisholm since 2016, quit the Liberal Party and went to the crossbench after the downfall of Malcolm Turnbull and is considering switching seats to run against Mr Hunt as an independent.

The Herald Sun reports that the Member for Chisholm will likely announce her intentions in the next week.

The Liberals currently hold the Mornington Peninsula based seat in Melbourne’s southeast on a 7.8 per cent margin.

In a worrying sign for Mr Hunt, the poll of 627 residents on January 24, commissioned by the CFMMEU, shows the Liberals have a problem with female voters in Flinders. Only 32.7 per cent of women surveyed said they would vote for the Liberal Party.