Federal election 2019: Warringah campaign heats up for Abbott and Steggall

Campaigning in the ‘most fiercely contested political territory in the country’ is ramping up as battle lines develop between conservative and moderate voters in Warringah.

The battle for Warringah heats up as sitting Liberal MP Tony Abbott fights off the challenge of high-profile Independent Zali Steggall. Picture: Peter Rae

• Push to save Manly ferries
• Hotel Steyne close to sale

CAMPAIGNING in the “most fiercely contested political territory in the country” is ramping up as battle lines develop between conservative and moderate voters in Warringah.

Political pundits predict that a significant number of socially progressive residents, who traditionally voted Liberal, will migrate to independent Zali Steggall.

It comes as sitting MP Tony Abbott declared himself “underdog” in the run up to the May 18 election.

Third party groups, including the lobbyists GetUp! and the conservative Advance Australia organisation are set to influence the battle for votes.

Advance Australia's Captain GetUp at Manly Wharf.

GetUp! chose Manly to launch its national campaign to unseat conservative Government MPs.

Advance Australia is paying for a truck to crisscross the electorate emblazoned with anti-Steggall messages and is using a sarcastic GetUp! Man costumed figure to stir up voters.

“This is going to be the most fiercely contested political territory in the country,” Mr Abbott told 2GB.

GetUp’s national director Paul Oosting said Mr Abbott would be targeted for his stance on climate change and asylum seeker policy. The lobby group has hundreds of volunteers door knocking and making telephone cold calls as part of its “Take on Tony” campaign.

GetUp! volunteers in the federal electorate of Warringah, along with a Tony Abbott figure, gather at Manly Beach at the launch of the lobby group's national campaign to unseat conservative MPs. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The battle began to heat up after Mr Abbott and Ms Steggall took pot shots at each other for not attending candidate forums.

Ms Steggall did not turn up at a Sky News “pub test” while Mr Abbott was missing from a forum with discussions on climate change.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, United Australia Party’s Suellen Wrightson and Greens’ Kristyn Glanville speaking at the Sky News “pub test” at the Harbord Beach Hotel. Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Abbott said the construction of the Beaches Link tunnel was the most important local issue.

“Labor are against it and the independents are sitting on the fence at best,” he said. “The Liberals are 120pc for it, so there is a very clear choice.

“The tunnel is only possible because the State Government can afford it and that’s only possible because of the support that the Commonwealth, starting with my government, gave to NSW for national road projects.

“It will be an even better tunnel thanks to a federal Liberal Government.”

Mr Abbott also highlighted the Morrison government’s pledge of lowering taxes and Labor’s “economy-wrecking climate change measures”.

Liberal MP for Warringah, Tony Abbott. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

“People like Zali Steggall are even worse because she says Labor’s climate change policy doesn’t go far enough.”

Ms Steggall has said she wanted to be a voice for the “sensible centre” particularly on climate-change policy.

She said yesterday that will push to reinstate a credible national authority on climate change, akin to the CSIRO or Reserve Bank and would push to make electric vehicles more affordable.

Ms Steggall said she supported Beaches Link if it was “done right” but wanted to see the results of the environmental impact statement, due out mid-year, before giving final support.

She also opposes Labor’s changes to investment taxes such as capital gains tax and negative gearing.

“I support lowering taxes. I think, as a nation, we are highly taxed and I think the system needs to be simplified for individuals and small businesses.

Independent Zali Steggall. Picture: Troy Snook

“We need better services when it comes to mental health. We have a number of local services already operating, but we need more efficiencies and to make sure they are fully supported.”

Stewart Jackson, a senior lecturer in Australian politics at Sydney University, said Ms Steggall could grab an untapped group of voters who used to feel part of the “Malcolm Turnbull liberals”.

Dr Jackson said Ms Steggall was pitching to those who are economically conservative, yet socially progressive.

“This group of voters is worried about the effects of climate change on themselves, their children, their properties and investments.

“There is a whole bunch of professional, well educated people who are saying ‘hang on’, the Liberal’s aren’t cutting it.

“They are exactly the type of people who could shift from the Liberal party at the moment.

“It’s not quite their Liberal party.

“I think you will see some switching from Labor and the Greens to her.”

David Burchell, senior lecturer in politics and history at Western Sydney University, suggested the area had become politically conservative but socially liberal and there may be more protest votes against the government over issues including the treatment of asylum seekers.