Tony Abbott’s daughter Bridget shows support at Brookvale early voting centre

Tony Abbott was joined on the political hustings by his daughter Bridget who helped him hand out how-to-vote cards on Thursday afternoon.

Tony Abbott and daughter Bridget outside a prepoll voting centre at Brookvale on Thursday. Picture: Troy Snook

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Tony Abbott was joined on the political hustings by his daughter Bridget who helped him hand out how-to-vote cards on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Abbott has been keen to keep his family out of the spotlight and asked reporters not to approach her.

But the former prime minster greeted his daughter with “oh Bridgey” when she arrived before embracing her as voters streamed in.

Tony Abbott and rival Zali Steggall outside a prepoll voting centre at Brookvale on Thursday, May 16. Picture: Troy Snook

However, his greeting was a little less friendly when independent opponent Zali Steggall turned up 10 minutes later.

The arch rivals stood side-by-side at the entrance to the voting centre without saying as much as a word to each other.

Many voters did a double take as they parked up only to find themselves flanked by two of the most talked about people in Australia at the moment.

Both Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall were trying to sway voters at prepoll. Picture: Troy Snook

Both spoke of their confidence going into the final few days.

“It has been really positive,” Ms Steggall said of her time outside early voting centres throughout the week.

“You are not going to win everyone over but it has been overwhelming very positive.”

Mr Abbott was equally positive.

“I’ve got a good feeling on the ground,” he said of the response he has had this week.

“All I can tell you is how I think people are responding and I think people are responding positively.”

Both said they were pleased with how their campaigns had gone.

Tony Abbott poses for a selfie with a voter outside a prepoll voting centre at Brookvale. Picture: Troy Snook

“I don’t believe we could have done anything other than what we’ve done in terms of direct mail, in terms of social media, in terms of visibility, in terms of the direct contact with voters. It has been an absolute model of a campaign,” Mr Abbott said.

Ms Steggall said she had run the campaign she wanted.

“We have been positive and I’ve got everything across I wanted,” she said.