Aussie minister lost in mountains

Tim Holding

A search is under way for Victoria's Water and Finance Minister, Tim Holding, who went missing in an alpine region of the State overnight.

Mr Holding did not return from a solo overnight hike and police and emergency services are now searching Mt Feathertop in north-east Victoria to locate the minister.

A mobile phone signal has failed to shed any light on the politician's whereabouts in the freezing weather conditions.

It is understood the minister went for a hike on Mt Feathertop alone on Saturday and sent a text message to his partner at 6.30pm to say he had arrived at Federation Hut and expected to arrive home at 4pm on Sunday.

The alarm was raised at 9.30pm on Sunday when resort management confirmed Mr Holding's car remained at the base of the mountain.

Search coordinator acting Superintendent Wayne Rotherham said about 18 people were involved in the search.

"We have been attempting to get through on the mobile but there is no coverage and that will indicate either the phone's batteries are not functioning well," Acting Supt Rotherham told ABC Radio on Monday.

"We did get a signal emitted from the telephone late last night so we're just trying to track all that down now."

He said the "pretty weak" signal had been emitted from one tower in the region, but had failed to provide a location.

Conditions on the weekend were very poor, as temperatures plummeted to minus seven degrees on Saturday evening and early on Sunday.

"Everyone's out there working very hard and hopefully we'll find him soon."

Premier John Brumby said Mr Holding was a very experienced hiker.

"I know conditions were very bad yesterday and this is quite an exposed walk," he told ABC Radio.

"It was always my view that Tim will walk out this morning because he is such an experienced hiker and he's (a) very fit and determined and disciplined person."

- AAP