Former prime minister Tony Abbott loses seat of Warringah
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been ousted from parliament, losing the Northern Beaches seat of Warringah to independent candidate and former Olympic skier Zali Steggall.
NSW
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Beaten but not bowed, Tony Abbott closed the book on his rollercoaster 25-year parliamentary career last night defiantly telling supporters: “I’d rather be a loser than a quitter”.
Mr Abbott admitted he feared the worst in defending his seat of Warringah against high profile independent Zali Steggall after the Liberals lost the Wentworth by-election last year following Malcolm Turnbull’s resignation.
But despite his momentous defeat in the seat he has held since 1994 after a bitter campaign the former Prime Minister vowed: “I’m certainly not going to let one bad day spoil 25 great years”.
Mr Abbott conceded just after 8.30pm to the former Olympic alpine skier, ending a storied political career and a cycle of personal rivalry with Mr Turnbull that has bedevilled the party for the best part of a decade.
The former journalist became a Liberal hero by leading the party from opposition to an election victory in 2013 after toppling Mr Turnbull as leader over climate policy. Mr Turnbull had his revenge in 2015, sending Mr Abbott to the backbench where he became the focus of disenchantment over climate amid calls for him to quit.
Both are now out of politics and former deputy Liberal leader and foreign minister Julie Bishop was unforgiving in her assessment last night.
“Tony and Malcolm have never got along,” she said on Channel 9. “Tony worked to destabilise Malcolm’s leadership.”
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Asked if she believed Mr Abbott had got what he deserved she said: “I think it was an inevitable outcome. When you look at the two issues of climate change and marriage equality and the views of the electorate of Warringah — then it was inevitable.
“If you are so out of line with the views of your electorate you can’t expect them to support you.”
But in an upbeat speech, Mr Abbott said would look back on his career with “immense pride and satisfaction” rather than focusing on his historic loss. “Tonight we’ve got good news and yes we’ve got a little bit of bad news,” he said to a cheering crowd of supporters. “The good news is that there is every chance that the Liberal National coalition has won this election,” the 61-year-old said.
He said it was disappointing to lose but “what’s best for the country is not who wins or loses Warringah but who does or does not form a government in Canberra.”
Flanked on stage by his wife, mother, daughter and sister, Mr Abbott admitted it hurt him to lose the seat he had consistently won easily with his vote never dipping below 50 per cent. “If I have to lose, so be it; I’d rather be a loser than a quitter,” he said.
He acknowledged Ms Steggall who won an at times ugly local campaign, which even saw one of Mr Abbott’s volunteers stabbed with a corkscrew on Friday.
“I do congratulate Zali Steggall on what is a magnificent win for her,” said to boos from the crowd.
Mr Abbott said there was a realignment of politics going on around the country.
“We are doing it tough and the green left are doing better,” Mr Abbott said.
He told the crowd he intended to focus not on the loss, but on the successes of his career, which included being one of four people in Australian history who led his party into government from opposition.
He conceded some things he did in his political life could have been done better but thanked the local voters.
“I do want to say a big thank you to the people of Warringah,” he said. “I could not have achieved anything in public life but for the support for the people of Warringah who have given me 25 great years.”
In the former boxer’s trademark pugnacious fashion, he said: “My public life, I imagine, will go on.”
STEGGALL WANTS TO RAISE THE STANDARD
Warringah’s new MP wants to bring back decency in politics following a bitter campaign in the northern beaches seat.
In her victory speech, Ms Steggall declared it a “new beginning” for Warringah after claiming the seat held by the former prime minister.
“I want to get some legislation in place to stop the kind of political campaigning we saw in this election, smear campaigns,” she said.
“We need to raise the bar and ensure there is truth in politics.
“We saw a lot of propaganda and we need to protect our democracy. There has to be proper information.
“And I want to look at climate change. I want to look at energy and give business the reassurance it needs.”
Ms Steggall said Warringah had “definitely voted for the future” as she was cheered on by ecstatic supporters throughout her victory speech at the Novotel in Manly.
“This is a win for moderates with a heart,” she said.
“We have definitely turned Warringah turquoise. I will be a climate leader for you.
“And I will hold the new government to account and make sure we take action on climate change.
“I will push for real action for our children and generations to come. So they can enjoy the environment, our beautiful beaches the way we enjoy it.”
Ms Steggall paid tribute to her Liberal opponent after what had been a fierce four-month campaign.
“I would like to pay tribute to Tony Abbott who has been a dedicated and long-serving local member,” she said.
“Nobody can doubt his community spirit, his work ethic and his contribution to this community. I wish him well.”
Ms Steggall was often interrupted by her supporters, who chanted “Zali, Zali, Zali” throughout her victory speech.
She told her supporters that it was an opportunity for a new beginning in Australian politics.
“A beginning for honesty, respect in government,” she said. “We all benefit from the diversity of opinion, but we must all respect one another.
“Warringah, I pledge that I will represent your views, your concerns and your needs.
“I will work collaboratively with all sides of politics so that we can achieve results … for the generations to come.”
She thanked her parents, husband Tim and children.
“You can’t take on this challenge lightly. Thank you to my kids.”
One supporter, mental health worker Dave Burrell, of Freshwater, kissed Ms Steggall’s hand after her speech and said how proud he was to have worked on her campaign.
“It’s a new dawn, a new horizon,” he said.
Ms Steggall was backed in her campaign by the left-wing activist organisation GetUp but denied any formal association with the group.
Originally published as Former prime minister Tony Abbott loses seat of Warringah
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