Teal independent Kylea Tink is facing political purgatory, but does not want to "cannibalise" the crossbench as she looks for a path out.
The Australian Electoral Commission on Thursday confirmed her seat of North Sydney would be abolished at the upcoming federal election under the latest redistribution of voters.
The electorate's 97,000 voters will now be spread across three northern Sydney divisions: the blue-ribbon seat of Bradfield, the marginal Labor electorate of Bennelong and the independent-held Warringah.
"This is not the end, it's simply the end of the beginning," Ms Tink told reporters in Canberra.
"There are so many ways that Australians can contribute to our democracy, whether it's in the House of Representatives, whether it's representation in the Senate, whether it's getting involved in larger political movements.
"Those options are all there for me."
Ms Tink said she would spend time with her family and supporters before coming to a final decision on her future.
Though Ms Tink could potentially contest one of the surrounding divisions, independent Nicolette Boele has already launched her campaign in Bradfield, Bennelong is traditionally a contest between the Liberals and Labor, and Warringah is already held by teal independent Zali Steggall .
Asked if she would run in these seats, the North Sydney MP noted she had played a role on one of the largest crossbenches in history of the federal government.
"It's my intention to continue to contribute positively to that crossbench and not cannibalise it," Ms Tink said.
Australia had reached a point where the number of representatives in both federal chambers could be increased and politicians should have the courage to take lead on change, she said.
"To represent upwards of 150,000 people is a really tough job," Ms Tink said.
Ms Tink became North Sydney's first female representative and second independent at the 2022 federal election, when she unseated progressive Liberal Trent Zimmerman after the incumbent experienced an almost 14 per cent swing against his primary vote.
Earlier redistributions in Victoria have abolished the inner-Melbourne seat of Higgins, which was won in 2022 by Labor backbencher Michelle Ananda-Rajah after a close contest against the Liberals, while Western Australia added the new seat of Bullwinkel in Perth.
The North Sydney MP said she had enjoyed her time in the role and was proud of the work she achieved in Parliament on gender equality and human rights.
"To be able to represent any community, whether it is at the individual electorate level, or whether it is at the state level is an extreme privilege," Ms Tink said.
Electoral commission presiding member Susan Kenny said all written objections and comments to the redistribution had been carefully considered.
Boundaries around several other NSW seats including Blaxland, Dobell and Watson have also shifted.
