Zali Steggall’s co-campaign manager Louise Hislop praised GetUp boss at speech she attended

The woman behind the Zali Steggall campaign to oust former PM Tony Abbott in his seat of Warringah has been schooled by GetUp activists in campaigning.

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The woman behind the Zali Steggall campaign to oust former PM Tony Abbott in his seat of Warringah has been schooled by GetUp activists in campaigning.

The Olympian received cautious encouragement from Labor leader Bill Shorten on Monday, but distanced herself from left-wing activist outfit GetUp, saying “I don’t have anything to do with GetUp”.

However, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Ms Steggall’s co-campaign manager Louise Hislop has praised former long term GetUp campaign boss Sally Rugg for contributing to her “education and self-improvement” when she attended a speech by Ms Rugg in September.

Zali Steggall had distanced herself from GetUp. Picture: AAP Image/Jordan Shields

Ms Steggall’s co-campaign manager Louise Hislop. Picture: Facebook

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Ms Steggall distanced herself on Monday from GetUp, saying “I don’t have anything to do with GetUp. Clearly they will do their own campaign in the electorate and they will form their own view as to who they ultimately choose to endorse,” she said.

Ms Hislop has also based her campaign plans on the successful Voices for Indi group — attending one of their seminars — which ousted liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella.

Ms Steggall is expected to mount a grassroots campaign in Warringah and will trumpet issues like mental health services in coming days.

She will be running against Tony Abbott in his seat of Warringah. Picture Gary Ramage

Mr Shorten said on Monday he would look at Ms Steggall’s policies in considering who to preference.

“This is an independent, she has just announced she is running yesterday, we will examine her policies,” he said, labelling her decision to run “significant”.

While she is yet to specifically outline her policy on tackling climate change, Ms Steggall told the ABC yesterday the government’s 26 per cent renewable energy target was too low, calling on the federal government to take a stronger position.

Originally published as Zali Steggall’s co-campaign manager Louise Hislop praised GetUp boss at speech she attended