Mr Jochinke, of Murra Warra, has plenty of experience advocating for the region in his roles with the Victorian Farmers Federation and National Farmers Federation.

However he said he had no plans to move into the political arena.

“I am fully committed to my current roles as VFF president and National Farmers Federation vice-president," he said.

“I'm a little bit flattered that people have been asking me. It's such an important role, so I hope that there is a good strong field of candidates ready to line up."

Mr Jochinke said a good candidate would need to have a number of attributes.

"They would need to come from the region and understand the pressure points of the area," he said.

"Those range from poor telecommunications to the tyranny of distance from good health and education services.

"They would also need to be a good listener and communicator, and advocate on the behalf of their constituents. The best candidates would not come into the election with predetermined ideas, and just listen to what the people need."

Mr Jochinke said the electorate of Mallee was unique due to its size.

"We have a few regional centres, but issues vary from area to area," he said.

Former Wimmera Development Association executive director Jo Bourke said she had not considered running for the federal seat.

“Not at all. Years ago maybe, but not now,” she said.

“We need to get a bright young person in there.”

Mrs Bourke, a former Shire of Dunmunkle councillor, led the association from 2009 to 2015.

She is also a former Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chairwoman and board member, and led the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline project’s planning group from 2000 to 2005, which co-ordinated the pipeline’s business case and the project design.

Nationals Party president Larry Anthony said this week he would like to see the party stand a female candidate in Mallee.

However Mrs Bourke said the discussion about who would be the next Member for Mallee needed to be about competency.

“It has to be the best candidate, regardless of gender,” she said.

“However I don't think some of the processes some parties have in place are merit-based and take into consideration the full range of people who could do the job.

“Women and younger people are not represented well.”

Mrs Bourke said any change that would make the electorate more marginal than it had been in the past, and that generated real political discussion about the needs of the region, was a good thing.