Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall in awkward encounter at Warringah ballot draw
Warringah rivals Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall came face-to-face as the ballot draw was held for the key Federal seat. The pair, who have been in each other’s crosshairs since the start of the year, were finally in the same room and exchanged pleasantries through gritted teeth.
Warringah rivals Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall came face-to-face as the ballot draw was held for the key federal seat.
The pair, who have been in each other’s crosshairs since the start of the year, exchanged pleasantries through gritted teeth and shook hands.
They have only met a handful of times despite trading blows in the media for many months.
It was an uncomfortable affair all around with the Darley Rd, Manly, office used for the draw no bigger than an average sized bedroom.
Journalist were cheek by jowl with the 10 Warringah hopefuls as the draw was made at midday.
For the record Mr Abbott drew sixth place and Ms Steggall eighth.
Both answered questions after the conclusion with Ms Steggall being asked about the controversial GetUp! video which has since been pulled by the campaign group.
The video, which depicted Tony Abbott as a lifesaver refusing to rescue a drowning person, came just days after a Victorian father and son lifesavers drowned trying to rescue a tourist at Port Campbell.
“I don’t approve of that kind of advertising,” Ms Steggall said. “I think you need to focus on policies and not smear campaigns in relation to people. So I thought that was of quite poor taste especially when my heart goes out to the people on the South Coast with the recent tragedy of the lifesavers.
“They do such a huge contribution to keeping the beaches safe.”
Asked if she had spoken to GetUp! about keeping the campaign clean, she added: “I don’t have anything to do with GetUp! so I’m not speaking to them. It is really nothing to do with me but I really don’t approve of any of those tactics.”
Mr Abbott was also questioned about the video which he described as “unbelievably tacky”.
“It is really up to GetUp! and the candidates that GetUp! backs to apologise. I believe they have but they should never have thought it was a smart thing to demean the work of the 150,000 volunteer lifesavers.”
He said his position on the ballot would mean very little come May 18.
“The electors are pretty smart. They can navigate the ballot paper pretty well I’m sure.”
Ms Steggall compared the ballot draw to receiving starting positions the night before an Olympic event.
“I've been at that draw before at the Olympic Games where you are really hoping to get that number one so you are going to have a clean course but this is about people choosing and focusing on policies.”
WARRINGAH BALLOT DRAW IN FULL
1 Heather Barnes (Animal Justice Party)
2 Susan Moylan (Indepenent)
3 Dean Harris (Labor)
4 Emanuele Paletto (Sustainable Australia)
5 Suellen Marree Wrightson (United Australia Party)
6 Tony Abbott (Liberal)
7 Brian Clare (Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party)
8 Zali Steggall (Independent)
9 Jason Blaiklock (Christian Democratic Party - Fred Nile Group)
10 Kristyn Glanville (The Greens)
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