As the Liberal Party grapples with the number of women in its ranks, they face a rise of strong female independent candidates at the federal election.
Barrister and former world champion skier Zali Steggall launched her campaign against Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah on Sunday with dozens of supporters.
Climate change will be one of Ms Steggall's main policy platforms, and she says the former prime minister's views do not represent those of the "socially progressive" electorate.
"I am prepared, I am supported and I know the views of the community," she said.
The former slalom world champion and 1998 Winter Olympics bronze medallist is the third female independent to announce a bid to oust Mr Abbott at the election.
Alice Thompson, a former adviser to Malcolm Turnbull, and indigenous activist Susan Moylan-Coombs will also vie for the northern beaches seat.
And in a sign that Labor MP Emma Husar is still weighing up a bid as an independent, she congratulated Ms Steggall for nominating while spruiking diverse voices in parliament.
"Women flexing, showing what they're capable away from the old, powerful, male dominated party structures," Ms Husar tweeted on Sunday.
"Progressive and sensible policies, not back scratching and repaying old favours."
Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks has also offered her support to Ms Steggall, tweeting: "Australia and Warringah needs strong independent, genuine people like you".
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dan Tehan doesn't expect any more of his colleagues to bow out of politics ahead of the election, after three government ministers announced they would step down before the polls.
But politicians won't be back in Canberra until parliament returns on February 12, which may give them enough time to dwell on the future, particularly with the first Newspoll of the year expected next weekend.
After wrapping up his Queensland tour last week Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will be in Melbourne on Monday to announce $200 million of small grants to help clean Australia's rivers.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to head back up north on the quasi campaign trail, as time runs out for him to call a March election.
However, Australians should be prepared to hit the polls in May.
"Everything that the government has been doing, the prime minister has made very clear, is around a budget in April followed by an election in May," Mr Tehan told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
"I think that's what we should all be looking forward to."
