A report in the Benalla Ensign published yesterday paints the Liberals’ Sophie Mirabella in a less-than-complimentary light. Benalla Ensign editor Libby Price writes there was a “spat” between independent Indi MP Cathy McGowan and her challenger Mirabella at the opening of a new wing of a retirement home:

“… [Mirabella] took exception to the current Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, asking to have her photo taken with Mr (Ken) Wyatt in front of the Cooinda plaque commemorating the opening. Mrs Mirabella very publicly pushed Ms McGowan out of the way to obstruct the photo being taken. All politicians had been invited by Cooinda Village to attend. Ms McGowan did get her photo with the rather bewildered Mr Wyatt, but not in front of the plaque.”

The piece doesn’t include comment from either Mirabella or McGowan. Price, a former ABC broadcaster, was approached by the Nationals last year to be their candidate for the seat, but she told The Weekly Times she was “too much of a loose cannon” for party politics. Mirabella herself says she didn’t shove anyone.

https://twitter.com/MirabellaSophie/status/722938926483185665