Federal Election 2016: Nick Xenophon Team candidate for Warringah Marie Rowland has criticised Tony Abbott

NICK Xenophon Team candidate for the seat of Warringah Marie Rowland has criticised Tony Abbott’s depiction of The Corso as “a notorious crime hotspot”

Marie Rowland. Photo: Adam Ward

NICK Xenophon Team candidate for the seat of Warringah Marie Rowland has criticised Tony Abbott’s depiction of The Corso as “a notorious crime hot spot”, saying his claim flies in the face of the crime statistics.

On Monday Mr Abbott told the Manly Daily he would like to see more CCTV cameras installed on The Corso.

“The Corso, particularly late at night, is a notorious crime hot spot,” he said.

“There are a few other parts of the northern beaches that have similar issues but The Corso is the obvious example.”

But Ms Rowland said Mr Abbott’s claim about The Corso was scaremongering and showed a lack of knowledge about the state of his own electorate.

“His statement is simply out of date and seems at odds with all the hard work by local police that’s produced a substantial and sustained drop in assaults in the area over the past six years, where the area’s pubs are now out of the notorious list of the state’s top 20 most violent,” she said.

“Even Manly Council is at odds with Mr Abbott’s claim, pointing out that Manly’s crime prevention plan, of which CCTV is a part, has won the International City Managers Association’s 2015 Community Health and Safety award.

“I think our local police force has done an amazing job in creating a family-friendly district for all.

“I know this as my family is a frequent visitor for dinner and we have never felt threatened as was the case in the past.

“Alcohol-related violence can never be fully stamped out and hence we still need a police presence especially at weekends but to describe The Corso as “notorious” seems somewhat over the top.

“It is clear to a growing number of voters that Warringah needs their member not to instil fear but rather to be aware of the facts on the ground and to be in touch with what is actually going on.”