Liberals open new office in Warringah, as Andrew Bragg calls Zali Steggall ‘ineffective’

The federal election could be a way off, but the Liberal Party has opened a new base in Warringah and has taken aim at independent Zali Steggall.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne with Senator Andrew Bragg at Liberal House, Balgowlah. Picture: Supplied.

The opening of a new Liberal office in Warringah signifies what looks to be the launch of a long and aggressive campaign to win back the seat Tony Abbott lost last year.

Following smiles at the photo opp at the official launch of Liberal House in Balgowlah on Tuesday, Senator Andrew Bragg, the nominated party spokesman for Warringah, dropped the niceties and came out swinging.

He labelled Mr Abbott’s successor, independent MP Zali Steggall, as “ineffective and unable to deliver”.

Perhaps to signify the importance of the moment for the Liberal Party, the opening was also attended by Foreign Minister Marise Payne, currently battling with bigger issues, including Australia’s shaky relationship with China.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne with Senator Andrew Bragg and State MP James Griffin, far right, at Liberal House, Balgowlah. Picture: Supplied.

Nevertheless she made time to attend the event in Sydney Rd, saying she hoped the new office will become “a hub of Liberal activity in this part of Warringah”.

Mr Bragg told the Manly Daily that having a base in the area will give locals a place to come and voice their concerns to the party in government.

He then took aim at Ms Steggall’s record as MP.

“The incumbent member is ineffective and unable to deliver,” Mr Bragg said.

“She makes a lot of promises but can’t deliver on any of them.

“She spends all her time on a bill that will never become a law.

“Independents don’t make law. Meanwhile, we are getting on with meeting and beating our Paris emissions reduction targets.

Independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall poses for a portrait at Parliament House in Canberra. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

“I want the people of Warringah to know we are serious about winning this seat back, Warringah is a great electorate which is missing out because the Federal Member can’t actually do anything.”

Ms Steggall retaliated by saying the Liberal Party has taken Warringah for granted for too long, a criticism often repeated by constituents at the last election.

“My team and I are all locals and focused on listening, meeting and delivering for the community, not the party room,”she said.

“Important local issues are our priority like raising the alarm on the Sydney Harbour Trust

Former Prime Minister and Warringah Liberal candidate Tony Abbott concedes defeat at Manly Leagues Club in Brookvale, Sydney, Saturday, 18 May, 2019. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

Review that the Government sprung on residents just before Christmas last year; or the current PEP-11 gas terminal licence proposed by the Government off our coast; ensuring urgent needs such as Balgowlah Boys upkeep are addressed; delivery of transport infrastructure; as well as ensuring more grants and community support occurs in Warringah.”

She said backbenchers make a lot of empty promises for action on issues like integrity, truth in political advertising, climate policy and environment protection, but deliver little real action.

“As an independent, I can actively hold the Government to account in the public domain and influence policy outcomes on all these issues,” she said.

“I can present legislation, move amendments and vote in parliament in accordance with the feedback and views of the electorate, not the party room.”

Sasha Grebe, who is rumoured to be seeking preselection for the Liberals at Warringah. (AAP Image/ Julian Andrews).

She warned that Senator Bragg and the Coalition Government should focus on delivering on the important policy areas such as a Federal Integrity Commission with real powers, a commitment to Net Zero by 2050 and “to lock in a sensible climate policy that keeps Australia at the table with our trading partners, not spin about ‘meeting and beating’ low targets that will not achieve the necessary goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees”.

Despite the Liberal’s fighting talk, no decision has been made as to who will represent the Liberals at the next election.

But it is expected that preselection nominations will open soon.

Sasha Grebe, a former Liberal adviser to Scott Morrison is rumoured to have his eye on the Warringah seat.

It is understood there will be a big Liberal seminar on the peninsula next year, as part of a “call to arms” to turn Warringah blue again.