Activist group mobilises local anti-Abbott campaign

The anti-Tony Abbott forces are out in full force with the former prime minister set to fight battles on several fronts.

They are starting to gang up on Tony Abbott — and it’s not just the Turnbulls.

GetUp is today claiming it had 700 people at an information session last night dedicated to removing Mr Abbott from his seat of Warringah.

The activist group’s campaign director, Django Merope Synge, said after the Manly meeting: “The sight of residents flowing into the venue and crowds spilling outside was incredible.

“I’ve never seen anything like this — people are literally queuing up to hear how they can take on Tony Abbott. It’s unreal. It feels more like a festival than a community meeting.”

GetUp, rapidly becoming the favourite political villain of right-wing Liberals and their media camp followers, is good at scaring election candidates well before a ballot is called.

Earlier this year it launched a “Time to Ditch Dutton” campaign aimed at Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in his seat of Dickson.

“If GetUp wants a fight, they’ll get one,” Dutton replied at the time.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott will be fighting battles on several fronts. (AAP Image/Ben Rushton)

Now the activist group is saying: “If I was Tony Abbott, I’d be looking at this, and I’d be very afraid.”

The GetUp offensive against Mr Abbott differs from the Dutton campaign as there already is a movement claiming to be of grassroots origin to dump the former prime minister.

Yesterday famous local and surfing star Layne Beachley went on the new Instagram account “Vote Tony Out” to add her support for the anti-Abbott move.

Hers wasn’t the only familiar name associated with the account. It was followed and liked by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy. They were joined by son Alex who also tweeted a message from the “Vote Tony Out” group.

Surfing legend Layne Beachley is a prominent supporter of the anti-Abbott movement

“It’s clear Tony Abbott has lost the support of this electorate,” GetUp said. “Whether it’s climate change, marriage equality, or getting kids off Nauru, Tony Abbott doesn’t represent the values of people in Warringah.

“The Wentworth by-election proved there is no such thing as a safe seat for politicians that don’t represent the values of their community.”

And Mr Abbott might have reason to be concerned, if the anti-Dutton campaign is a guide.

GetUp believes it will be able to launch at least two million phone calls to Dickson voters with the help of thousands of volunteers.

Anti-Dutton forces had been marshalling resources well in advance of speculation of an early election. GetUp had the campaign going by August, when Mr Dutton lost the leadership battle to Scott Mortison.

By then it had made 30,000 phone calls to Dickson residents, not to urge them to vote against Mr Dutton but to gauge their top concerns. And the Dickson campaign has sparked a record recruitment drive for volunteers, GetUp said.