The field to replace outgoing Liberal MP Alan Tudge is beginning to take shape, with a former state MP throwing her hat into the ring.
The former education minister announced his resignation from federal parliament on Thursday, citing health and family reasons after reporting death threats were made against his teenage daughters.
It has triggered a by-election in Aston, less than a year after the Liberal MP narrowly held on to the outer Melbourne seat by 2.8 per cent at the 2022 poll.
In a statement on Monday, former Victorian upper house MP Cathrine Burnett-Wake announced she would nominate to be the Liberal candidate for the upcoming by-election.
The former Yarra Ranges councillor said she had been encouraged to run by Aston community members and spruiked her connection to the electorate, including her children attending a local school in Wantirna South.
"I look forward to being considered by the Liberal Party for the honour of being the candidate and for the opportunity to represent the Aston community," Ms Burnett-Wake wrote.
"Importantly, I believe my community ties, career and lived experience put me in the best position to retain the seat for the party."
Ms Burnett-Wake was ousted from state parliament after losing preselection for the Eastern Victoria region to Renee Heath, whose candidacy came under scrutiny during last year's election campaign over her links to a controversial church.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley on Sunday called for a woman to be the party's Aston candidate after previously declaring the Liberals should adopt a gender target to preselect women for 50 per cent of seats.
Other nominees mooted for the seat include Melbourne City councillor Roshena Campbell, former Survivor contestant and barrister Sharn Coombes and former Bentleigh candidate Debbie Taylor-Haynes.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has described his party as the underdogs to reclaim the seat, having suffered a more than seven per cent swing against it in May.
