Leading female Liberals fly in to Warringah to boost Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott does not have a problem with women.That was the message from four leading female Liberals who descended on Warringah yesterday to give Mr Abbott a boost in his battle against Zali Steggall.

From left Anne Ruston, Sussan Ley, Mr Abbott, Linda Reynolds and Jane Hume. Picture: Ben James

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Tony Abbott does not have a problem with women.

That was the message from four leading female Liberals who descended on Warringah yesterday to give Mr Abbott a boost in his battle against Zali Steggall.

Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds, Regional Development Assistant Minister Sussan Ley, International Development Assistant Minister Anne Ruston and deputy whip Jane Hume had lunch with Mr Abbott before door knocking in the electorate.

Mr Abbott has long been portrayed as epitomising the party’s claimed problem with women with many pointing the his time as PM when he had just one woman in his cabinet.

Sussan Ley spoke in support of Mr Abbott. Picture: DALE WEBSTER

Anne Ruston described the election as a big team effort. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“I’ve known Tony for 18, 19 years,” Ms Ley said. “I just simply want to say Tony doesn't have a problem with women. I can’t put it any more straight than that.”

“When I first came into the Senate I worked very closely with Tony on gender issues,” Ms Reynolds said. “I saw first-hand Tony’s commitment to women because ultimately the issue is that a leader is only as good as the amount of women that the party put forward.

“Because we don’t have the trade union movement to supply women to the party we’ve had to go out and attract really great women and that is something that Tony recognised. I’m very comfortable to say he has no problem with women.”

Mr Abbott is been made favourite to beat Zali Steggall, pictured campaigning with father Jack Steggall in Manly Picture: AAP Image/Jeremy Piper

Mr Abbott said his opponents make the “assertion” because of his “broadly speaking conservative and traditional views”.

The visit comes after Ms Steggall slammed Mr Abbott’s “masculine persona” and his “aggressive” and “fight based” rhetoric in an interview with another media publication over the weekend.

She also said she became disillusioned with the Liberal Party after Julie Bishop was overlooked as Malcolm Turnbull’s replacement.

Last week, bookmakers named Mr Abbott favourite to win in Warringah. But he said he was still underdog.

“When you consider the amount of money and activists from GetUp! and the unions I am still the underdog.”

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