Warringah Liberals: End of Tony Abbott era as left wins control of the executive ahead of election

The Tony Abbott era is well and truly over after the election of a progressive thinking executive in Warringah as the party ramps up its efforts to topple Zali Steggall.

The Liberals in Warringah are entering a more progressive phase in the build up to the next federal election, according to sources.

It follows the appointment of the new executive on Saturday, which one source claims was a “ruthless and brutal” takeover by the dominant left in the party.

Lee Furlong, Chairman of the NSW Taxi Council, beat Brendan King, a local businessman to win the role of President.

Lee Furlong, Chairman of the NSW Taxi Council and Vice Presidents of the Liberal Warringah Federal Electoral Conference. Picture: Facebook.

He won by 75 votes to 49. He replaces outgoing President Roger Corbett.

All of the candidates on Mr Furlong’s ticket also won.

Those backing candidates on the rival ticket said Mr Furlong was part of the failed Tony Abbott election campaign in 2019 and should not be the one to lead the party through another election.

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His supporters say Mr Abbott ran the campaign and he was never going to win.

“Tony had his own way in the conference for 25 years and then he managed to lose a safe seat,” said one Liberal.

“It’s time for the conference to be recalibrated.

“This is about a group of Liberals who want to give the seat some relevance again.

“Now Tony is not around it is time for other people to step up.

Left to right: Former President of the Warringah Liberals Roger Corbett, new President Lee Furlong and Senator Andrew Bragg, spokesman for the Liberals in Warringah. Picture: Supplied.

“That is what Saturday was about.”

Mr Furlong and the executive will have an important role, leading the party through local government elections, a federal preselection and a federal election.

The source said Mr Furlong, a moderate, and the other members of the executive represent a “less conservative” position than has been seen in the past and is more in line with what the electorate expects.

It could be indicative of the type of candidate the Liberals will choose to stand against independent Zali Steggall, who ousted Mr Abbott from the seat in 2019.

The Liberal Party is seeking a candidate who can beat independent Zali Steggall at the next election. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The others who were elected to the executive include the two vice presidents Alex Dore and Rachael McLean, Treasurer John Devaine, Secretary Angus Mackie, Female State Council Delegate Adele Heasman, Male State Council Delegate David McLean, Women’s Council Delegates Lisa Paulsen and Jessica Keen and Honorary Auditor Sarah Harding.

One Liberal source said Mr Furlong has the backing of many senior Liberals within the party.

Australian politician Senator Andrew Bragg in his office at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Senator Andrew Bragg, spokesman for the Liberal Party in Warringah, said members had elected a forward looking, confident executive.

“It’s important over the coming months and years that we keep listening to the community and the people of Warringah,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the executive and the Liberal membership in Warringah as we look to offer the people a good option at the next election.”

Meanwhile, those from the right side of the party who were hoping to get some fresh faces on the executive warned the party was still divided.

They said most of those on the rival ticket where unknowns, but still gained a reasonable amount of votes.

“It was a credible vote by candidates who were not known which indicates the Liberal Party in Warringah is still divided,” a source said.