Tony Abbott says endorsement vote controversy was caused by a ‘small minority of ultra-leftists’
TONY Abbott has taken aim at members of the Liberal Party who voted against his 2019 election endorsement, as it is revealed some are instead backing a prominent northern beaches identity.
Manly
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- Tony Abbott to be endorsed as 2019 Liberal candidate for Warringah
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TONY Abbott has taken aim at members of his own electoral conference who voted against his endorsement for the 2019 election labelling them a “small minority of ultra-leftists”.
It comes as senior Liberals said people in their own party had turned to independent Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan to run against and dethrone the Warringah MP.
Mr Abbott was endorsed as the party’s candidate at a meeting on Friday.
But at least 30 of the 100 members of his Federal Electoral Conference in attendance voted not to endorse him - two votes were informal.
One Liberal source described it as a “warning shot” saying Mr Abbott needed to change his tune on environmental issues and stop politicking if he wanted to be re-endorsed after 2019.
Since the vote, a number of sources have criticised Mr Abbott to other publications, saying he was “useless” and he should step aside for new blood.
But the former Prime Minister told the Manly Daily he was not concerned about the vote, which he said was about 70 per cent for him.
“The disappointing aspect wasn’t the numbers but the fact a number of people chose to engage in anonymous character assassinations afterwards,” he said.
“The problem in politics is not so much the budget deficit but the trust deficit and people who aren’t straight to your face, who lie behind your back are not who we want in public life.”
Yesterday, Mr Abbott labelled it a push from the party’s moderate faction.
“They have never been very happy with me, I suppose the demise of the former PM has stirred them up,” he said. “I have always been pretty outspoken but the difference between me and my critics is if I have something to say I put my name to it.”
A number of Liberals said frustration with Mr Abbott had led to representations to Mayor Michael Regan to run as an independent.
“There is a big part of the Liberal Party that tick-tack with Regan,” one source said. “There is behind the scenes movement to get Michael Regan to run.”
Others in the party dismissed the notion, pointing out the mayor’s lack of stance south of the Spit Bridge.
Cr Regan said his apparent support from Liberal Party members was “news to me”.
“I’ve been approached by Liberal supporters but not by actual members,” he said.
“This is mischief-making and time wasting and a distraction. Are you sure they didn’t confuse me with Mike Baird?”
Mr Regan would also not rule out a tilt at the seat of Warringah and took a swipe at major parties.
“The community everywhere, not just here, are fed up with the power plays and ego driven games taking place in Canberra. Our Parliament’s become a laughing stock and all of us deserve better.”
Mr Regan said his “primary concern and focus has always been — and will always be — putting the people and the needs of the northern beaches community first and foremost”.
Mr Abbott said he was “absolutely not concerned” about the prospect of Mr Regan, or any other independent as an opponent, but acknowledged recent events may have hurt the Liberals.
“Whoever runs, I am very confident there will be a strong and successful Liberal campaign,” he said.
“I have been campaigning very strongly to get power prices down, campaigning to take the pressure off our infrastructure and campaigning strongly for the northern beaches tunnel,” he said.
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“Other than the State Government no one has been a stronger advocate than I have. In fact long before the Coalition at state level I was pushing for it, back in 1994 I was pushing for the tunnel.
“People understand if they want a strong locals voice, I am their man.”
A key Abbott backer and long time Federal Electoral Conference president Walter Villatora failed in his bid to be elected as one of two vice presidents of the conference.
Mr Villatora was replaced by ormer Woolworths chief executive officer and chairman of Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group chairman Roger Corbett.
“It was big, one of the ugliest meetings I have ever seen in all my years in the Liberal Party,” one senior source said. “Abbott seemed shell-shocked by the attacks.”