Former Test bowler Brett Lee and local identities appear in video to back Tony Abbott for campaign

Former Australian Test bowler Brett Lee has appeared in a video along with other local identities to throw his support behind Tony Abbott’s re-election campaign labelling the former prime minister a “fighter”.

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Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee has thrown his support behind Tony Abbott’s re-election campaign labelling the former prime minister a “fighter”.

With Mr Abbott facing the political fight of his life to maintain the northern beaches seat of Warringah he has unleashed his latest weapon — a video of local identities backing him to be returned for a ninth term.

Brett Lee has thrown his support behind Tony Abbott for the federal election campaign.

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His sister Christine Forster, former Manly major Jean Hay and Roxanne Holmes, who is the daughter of Australian filmmaker James Ricketson who Mr Abbott helped bring home from a Cambodian prison, have also praised his community ties.

Mr Lee is a close friend of broadcaster Alan Jones, a strong supporter of Mr Abbott.

“What he does in the community is what people need, you know, he stands up for the underdog. A guy that leads from the front,” Mr Lee said.

“You never see Tony run away from the hard work. You want those people that will be those fighters in the field, those fighters in politics and stand up for what they actually believe in.”

His sister Christine Forster also appears in the video.

The battle for the seat of Warringah is heating up. Picture: John Appleyard

Local Barry Cafe also features telling a story about when Mr Abbott helped save the Beacon Hill resident’s house from burning down while on duty as a volunteer firefighters.

Addressing an issue which has dogged Mr Abbott at times, Ms Hay said that it makes her laugh when people make “stupid remarks … that Tony’s not supportive of women”.

“He has been absolutely wonderful to me and just so supportive,” she said.

The mayor of Manly Jean Hay is supporting Abbott.

As is Roxanne Holmes.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last week that internal Liberal research had shown Mr Abbott was facing a tough fight against high-profile independent Zali Steggall.

It followed a ReachTEL poll commissioned by activist group GetUp! that had Ms Steggall leading Mr Abbott 54 per cent to 46 per cent on a two-party-preferred vote.